NCJ Number
55040
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1968) Pages: 186-203
Date Published
1968
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A PSYCHIATRIC INVESTIGATION IS PRESENTED OF THREE PATIENTS WITH THE XYY CHROMOSOME SYNDROME FOUND AMONG 1,180 MALE PATIENTS ADMITTED TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL DURING A 19-MONTH PERIOD.
Abstract
THE THREE PATIENTS--A 26 YEAR OLD SINGLE MECHANIC, A 26 YEAR OLD UNSKILLED LABORER, AND A 24 YEAR OLD SHOP ASSISTANT--ALL HAD A RECORD OF CRIMINALITY AND THEY WERE ALL IMMATURE WITH FEELINGS OF INSECURITY AND WITH CONTACT DIFFICULTIES ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS WITH WOMEN. THEY HAD CHARACTER TRAITS OF AGGRESSIVENESS AND DISCREPANCY BETWEEN SEXUAL LIBIDO AND POTENCY WITH A COMPARATIVELY STRONG SEXUAL LIBIDO AND A NORMAL OR LOW POTENCY WHICH TO A CERTAIN EXTENT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE CRIMES OF AT LEAST TWO OF THE THREE PATIENTS. THE PROBLEM OF WHETHER THE LAW SHOULD CONTAIN A SPECIAL SECTION FOR THE SENTENCE OF PERSONS WHO ARE GENETICALLY DISPOSED TO CRIMINALITY, WITH NOT OR AT LEAST VERY LITTLE POSSIBILITY OF CORRECTION, IS BROUGHT UP, AS IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT PUNISHMENT OF ANY KIND WOULD CHANGE THE RISK OF NEW CRIMES IN PATIENTS WHO ARE GENETICALLY DISPOSED TO CRIMINALITY (I.E., PATIENTS WITH THE XYY SYNDROME OR PATIENTS WITH KLINEFELTER'S SYNDROME AND THE SEX CHROMOSOME CONSTITUTION XXY). REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--KBL)