The general public tends to think of criminal activity, arrests, convictions and prison time in purely black-and-white terms. However, DUI defense attorneys know that very often, there are external factors that may be involved in criminal activity or incarceration. For instance, brain injury has been strongly linked to a higher risk of criminal activity and arrest. The research finds that homeless people, who have suffered traumatic brain injury, are much more likely to be arrested or jailed.
The risk of criminal activity, arrest and prison time for homeless people may be especially high because these people may be at much higher risk of minor brain injuries, like concussions. The study was based on an analysis of more than 1,200 homeless people in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa in Canada. Approximately 61% of homeless people who were involved in the study admitted that they had suffered a brain injury at some point in their lifetime. There were minor variations in the brain injury rate depending on the city. For instance, Vancouver had the highest number of homeless people with brain injury, with a rate of 69%.
The researchers found that homeless people, who had a brain injury, were up to 1.5 times likely to have visited a hospital emergency department for treatment in the previous year. The visit was very often linked to long-term consequences from the brain injury.
The researchers also found other long-term consequences of brain injury that were linked to criminal activity or incarceration. They found that homeless people with a brain injury were three times more likely to have been arrested or incarcerated at least once. They were also at a much higher risk of physical assault, with a rate that was approximately 3 times higher than the general population.
This increased risk of criminal activity and arrests is strongly associated with the kind of personality changes that are typically brought about by a brain injury. Traumatic brain injury can affect personality, lead to cognitive difficulties and mental changes, and result in antisocial behaviors that can increase the risk of criminal activity.
The researchers recommend more effective rehabilitation and management of brain injury among homeless people with brain injury. Management of behaviors, monitoring of the patient’s condition and other strategies are vital in helping homeless persons with brain injury handle the long-term consequences of their injury.
Another study found that neurological disorders, including conditions arising after a head injury, are linked to a much higher risk of homicide and serial murders. The study specifically looked at the statistical incidence of multiple murders and serial murders. According to the researchers, their findings indicate that a significant proportion of serial killers or mass murderers suffer from conditions like autism spectrum disorder, or have suffered a brain injury in their past.
Out of the 239 serial killers/mass murderers who were analyzed as part of the study, 28.3% had definite highly probable or possible autism spectrum disorder. Besides, 21.3 had suffered a head injury. Out of the 106 persons who suffered either from a head injury or from autism spectrum disorder, 55% had experienced severe psychosocial stressors, like physical or sexual abuse during childhood.
If you have been convicted of a violent crime, contact a Denver criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
