Caldwell963@... asked this question on 5/1/2000:

Statistically, who breaks the law most often? Why? Is there any link to testosterone levels?

NRO_Sx gave this response on 5/3/2000:

If the question is whether males or females break the law most often, it actually depends on which laws are being broken ... I assume you are asking about the relative percentage of males vs. females with respect to their involvement in violent crimes. The link between criminality and testosterone levels was studied in 1999 by P. Rasanen and colleagues of the University of Oulu, Finland. Using forensic psychiatric male patients (20 schizophrenics and 42 subjects with personality disorders), the group found that male criminals with personality disorders had significantly higher serum levels of total and free testosterone than criminal schizophrenics. It has long been speculated that high testosterone levels are associated with criminal behavior (e.g. studies have shown a disproportionately high percentage of inmates with XYY syndrome, in which mean testosterone levels are higher than normal, and there is a phenomenon commonly known as 'roid rage' that results from testosterone abuse by body builders). However, abnormally low serum testosterone in males can also cause increased aggression (and increase the likelihood of road rage). Many other factors such as social setting, childhood experiences and age (to list a few) are involved in criminal behavior. Good question, but no simple answer. Hope this helps!

NRO_Sx