When criminal psychologist, Dr Julia Shaw, combed through thousands of green crime cases she found a common pattern, a psychological profile for the people committing environmental crimes. She calls them the ‘six pillars of environmental crime’: ease, impunity, greed, rationalisation, conformity, and desperation. These pillars can be applied across different types of green crimes, from corporate fraud, to organised crime, to cases of hit men hired to kill environmental defenders. Understanding these pillars ...

Core Argument - The presentation explores the complexities of criminal behavior, arguing that it stems from a combination of biological predispositions ("nature") and environmental factors ("nurture") [10][15] - It emphasizes that while understanding the causes of crime is important, it should never excuse the actions or overshadow the victims' experiences [24][26] - The presentation advocates for a balanced approach to justice that considers both accountability for offenders and compassion for victims [27] Factors Contributing to Criminal Behavior - Biological factors, such as the structure and function of the brain (amygdala, prefrontal cortex) and neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin), can predispose individuals to criminal behavior [12][13][14] - Environmental factors, such as childhood trauma, neglect, and lack of love, can significantly shape an individual's development and increase the likelihood of criminal behavior [16][17][18] Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Crime - DID is a mental condition characterized by two or more distinct identities [7] - Research indicates that DID is primarily a trauma-based condition and is not statistically correlated with higher crime rates compared to the general population [9] - The presentation uses the case of William Stanley Milligan to illustrate the complexities of DID and its potential (though rare) connection to criminal behavior [5][6] Justice Systems and Approaches - Different countries have varying approaches to justice, ranging from rehabilitation (Norway, Sweden) to strict punishment (US) [20][21] - Some countries, like Germany, blend offender reform and victim acknowledgement, while others, like Japan, focus on remorse and confession [21] - Singapore emphasizes deterrence through strict penalties [22] The Importance of Victim-Centered Justice - The presentation criticizes instances where the focus shifts to the offender's potential loss or reputation, neglecting the trauma experienced by the victim [25] - It argues that true justice requires holding both the complexity of individuals and the consequences of their actions in balance [27] - The presentation highlights cases like Brock Turner, the Central Park 5, and Larry Nassar to illustrate the dangers of a justice system that prioritizes the offender over the victim [25][26]