Criminals Can Be Identified From An Early Age, Study Says

Identifying potential criminals is an incredibly important aspect of police work because it can help reduce damages and loss of life better than solving crimes after they have happened. However, this is easier said than done because it can be difficult to pick out subjects once they are already adults. Thanks to a new study, it might be possible to identify which toddlers are mostly likely to grow up and exhibit criminal behavior.

The results of the study were published in the Nature Human Behavior journal, which goes far in supporting the argument that the tendency to commit crimes stems from the nature of particular individuals. Using a brain test on toddlers, the researchers claim that the results reflect how likely particular toddlers are going to become criminals in their adult life.

The study itself was done by Duke University neuroscientists, using research done in New Zealand since the 70s as a point of reference. This particular research looked into thousands of subjects and tracked them from a young age until age 38. The study also involved testing children that were 3 years of age, which looked into their motor functions and brain health.

Based on the results of the research, the toddlers that scored low on brain health showed the biggest potential to become criminals once they become adults. In fact, the numbers show that up to 80 percent of crimes are perpetrated by grown versions of these children.

As Futurism notes, however, brain health isn’t the only indication of likely criminal behavior. However, it is still a significant factor that simply can’t be overlooked, particularly with regards to addressing the problem early before it becomes a bigger issue.

Aside from the matter of criminality, toddlers that scored low on brain health also had a tendency to live off welfare and to spend more time in the hospital. As such, this is more than just a matter of law enforcement.