ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the influence of neuroscience on crime prevention. It also describes the status of neuroscience efforts to support criminal investigations and analyzes the potential and limitations of translating modern neuroscience to crime prevention and investigation efforts. Neuroscience offers the possibility of the precise identification of the brain dysfunction associated with engagement in criminal activity, and the potential for a more targeted response. Neuroplasticity is at the nexus of neurocriminology's contributions to prevention and intervention efforts in the criminal justice arena, particularly in relation to leveraged treatment typically specified by problem-solving courts. Brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity, refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt. It is a process that starts at birth. Infant neurons have an estimated 2,500 synapses, which increase through synaptogenesis to approximately 15,000 by age 3. Given the similarities in the brain regions associated with substance abuse and antisocial behaviour, it is unsurprising that neuroscientifically informed prevention and intervention efforts have adopted similar protocols.
