Is crime purely genetic?

Considering these biological claims, it would seem that criminality originates and expresses itself in the genes. The personality of a person is decided genetically and these traits come from previous generations, i.e. from the same gene pool. However there is another claim with evidence that states criminality stems from and conveys itself through family life. This too is transmitted generation to generation, but the syndrome discussed is more one of a 'collection of anti-social dispositions and patterns of behaviour' than that found in the genes.

David Farrington, social-psychological researcher, argues that criminal offending stems from an antisocial personality syndrome that emerges within the family. Although its origins are unclear it appears to be transmitted down the generations - "...problem children tend to grow up into problem adults and ... problem adults tend to produce more problem children". The syndrome is transmitted via poor or inappropriate parenting to their children usually in the form of a troubled family background including alcohol and drug abuse, family violence, truancy and school failure, unemployment, and marital disharmony.

Although both these claims provide evidence to suggest why crime occurs, it does not even start to cover the ground of crimes committed by groups. The fact that people do want to find groups that they fit into, either aspiring to or can see themselves within should be borne in mind. If the group is antisocial, maybe an antisocial person would fit into it, but what of crimes committed by companies. Would it be seen as antisocial of a company if it was committing a crime? This is a question too complex to ask at this stage but as to the basic question of why crime occurs, what explanation has a greater strength, a biological or family background?

The advantage biology has over any psychological analysis (as in the family study) is that numbers, figures, and specific genes can be put in the place of ideas. This would explain why people favour trying to find a solution via this method, i.e. you can look at the result instead of imagine it. However, biologically you can only go so far as to explain criminality. Since the definition of crime is a social factor that relies on social messages around us, (its OK to steal office stationery but not to kill people) it is almost impossible to place criminality genes on people. Personality traits may be in the genes but socially it depends on where you stand in the crowd IF it's a crime.

The findings of a family study can be considered very reliable since it follows an individual's life over a long period of time. This idea itself must be followed with caution since it does not consider the criminals that come from a background without family problems. Nor does it consider something so simplistic as the definition of poor parenting. As mentioned before, these rely heavily on social factors.