Criminal responsibility, and neuroscience: contemporary challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2026.v16.1579Keywords:
neuroscience, criminal liability, forense psychiatry, violent behavior, criminal law, neurolaw, non-imputability, not criminally responsibleAbstract
Advances in neuroscience have expanded the debate on criminal responsibility and the foundations of contemporary criminal law. Research in neuroimaging, neuropsychology, and psychiatry has shown that alterations in brain circuits involved in impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation may influence human behavior, including violent conduct. These findings have contributed to improving forensic psychiatric evaluations, particularly in cases involving mental disorders, brain injuries, or significant cognitive impairments. However, the interpretation of such data requires caution in order to avoid reductionist explanations of criminal behavior based solely on biological factors. This article discusses the contributions of neuroscience to the understanding of criminal responsibility, addressing topics such as impulsivity, premeditation, brain development during adolescence, violence risk assessment, and evidence-based crime prevention. The study concludes that criminal behavior should be understood within a biopsychosocial framework in which neuroscientific findings interact with psychological, social, and legal factors, contributing to more comprehensive forensic assessments without replacing the normative foundations of criminal law.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Alexandre Martins Valença, Jose Brasileiro Dourado Junior, Lisieux Elaine de Borba Telles, Antônio Geraldo da Silva, Antonio Egidio Nardi, Leonardo Fernandez Meyer, Luiz Felipe Rigonatti, Talvane Marins de Moraes, Milena Ferreira França Alexandre
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