Experts dispute use of neuroscience in criminal justice

London: Criminal behaviour can't be blamed on how someone's brain is wired, at least not yet, says a report from British experts who examined how neuroscience is being used in some court cases.

"Having a psychotic brain is not a general defence against a criminal charge," said Nicholas Mackintosh, professor emeritus of experimental psychology at the University of Cambridge, who led the group that produced the report. "There's no such thing as a gene for violence."

The report was done by the Royal Society, the world's oldest scientific academy. The document is part of the group's ongoing investigation of the effects of recent advances in neuroscience on various parts of society, including education and the law. Another report early next year will look at the potential implications of neuroscience on military and security issues.

Too soon

After examining the state of neuroscience and how it might apply to the legal system in the UK, the Royal Society concluded it's too soon for the law to be swayed by scientists' understanding of the brain. Still, brain scans have been cited in an increasing number of cases in the US.

The authors of the report said they could one day prove useful for matters like parole hearings when trying to predict whether someone will commit another crime.

The scientists said that while some criminals, such as psychopaths, have different brain structures from most people, these differences aren't enough to release them from being legally responsible for their actions.

Some experts said it was too simplistic to think brain scans could explain human actions.