“This book by a skilled scientist/writer is an informed, masterful account of the theory, research, controversies, and issues surrounding the construct of psychopathy. I appreciated Haycock’s discussion of my early interactions with Hervey Cleckley, and was impressed by his thoughtful coverage of the burgeoning research on the role of neuroscience in understanding the nature of psychopathy. He has keen insights into the challenges, complications, and implications of this research for the field of psychopathy and for the criminal justice system. His balanced and scientifically sound coverage of the literature and issues are admirable and refreshing. Readers not familiar with the technology and procedures of neuroscience will appreciate the way in which Haycock makes the science understandable, interesting, and relevant. Highly recommended. – Robert D. Hare, Ph.D., author of Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us and developer of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)

“In this fascinating page-turner, neurobiologist Haycock tries to uncover the correlation between brain abnormalities and violent behavior, and whether one guarantees the other . . . Haycock concludes “that the neurological profile of the criminal psychopath is consistent with key features of psychopathy: a lack of moral sense and a lack of empathy.” In the end, though, he admits that criminal responsibility cannot be traced unequivocally to a neurological basis but that such research can certainly begin an important conversation in the legal world.” Publisher’s Weekly

“By using a combination of current and historical case studies involving criminals and patients with brain damage, some of whom have been diagnosed as psychopathic, combined with the most recent neuroimaging research, Haycock provides an up-to-date picture of brain function and dysfunction . . . ­VERDICT: ­Haycock’s solid overview of neurobiology is recommended for those who deal with criminal psychopaths, but also for anyone who reports on or who is interested in the subject.” –­ Library Journal

Haycock presents scientific evidence that supports his position, including data from fMRI studies that point to physiological differences between the brains of criminal psychopaths and those of nonpsychopaths. But the existence of a neurologically identifiable signature in the brains of psychopaths is merely the tip of Haycock’s iceberg. The real tangle involves the implications–social, legal, judicial, and scientific–of the potential that we could predict someone would become a murderer from his or her brain scan. – The Scientist Magazine

“Murderous Minds is a gem. I became completely immersed in it and lost myself in the world Haycock created at the nexus of science, story, history, complete with downright wondrous narrative yarns to boot.” James Fallon, Ph.D., author of The Psychopath Inside

“Can the tendency for criminally psychopathic behaviors be identified by analyzing neurological images? If so, what consequence does this have for science and society? Psychopaths are everywhere—an estimated 1 in 100 adults qualify. Most are nonviolent but not all: One subset of this group, criminal psychopaths, have aggressive and sometimes-violent tendencies and often fail to exhibit empathy or remorse despite knowing the difference between right and wrong. But Is it moral or legal to use this information to try to predict violent crimes or to influence a jury deciding a verdict? The author explores these tricky issues in accessible and insightful chapters that break down the science behind the data while using narratives of high-profile criminals—e.g., Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, Mafia contract killer Richard “The Ice Man” Kuklinski, rapist and murderer Brian Dugan—to provide chilling real-life examples of criminally psychopathic behaviors. Part true crime, part neuroscience and a page-turner from start to finish.” – Kirkus Reviews

"Haycock mixes in just enough real-world examples and plain language to make the challenge interesting instead of frustrating." Bookzilla

“From psychopathic Eskimos to mass murdering high school students, the true nature of the criminal psychopath is explored here. And that exploration is such that it leads us not only to a better understanding of the criminal psychopath, but to a better understanding of ourselves.” – From the Foreword by Charles C. Ouimet, Ph.D., Professor and Faculty Scholar, College of Medicine, The Florida State University