Why do biological factors linked to crime not determine that a person will offend?

In the field of criminology, biological factors are understood to be probabilistic rather than deterministic. While research has identified links between certain biological conditions—such as neurotransmitter or hormonal imbalances and autonomic nervous system reactions—and an increased risk of criminal behavior, these factors do not absolutely determine whether a person will offend.1

The primary reasons these factors are not deterministic include:

• Interaction with Environment: Biological predispositions are often influenced by environmental conditions, making the direction of causation unclear. Many criminologists now view behavior as the result of an interaction between biological traits and social experiences.123
• Statistical Probability: Current research focuses on identifying factors that are associated with only small increases in the probability that an individual will commit a crime, rather than seeking absolute predictors.4
• Non-Biological Intervening Factors: In many cases, non-biological variables—such as poverty or social environment—may act as underlying causes for both the biological issue (e.g., exposure to toxins) and the tendency toward criminal behavior.1

Ultimately, most individuals who possess these identified biological risk factors do not commit crimes.1