Bad People

86. Born Criminal: Is Violence Genetic?

The only murderer in the family? When serial killer Robert Spahalski admitted to murder in 2005, police not only discovered his decades long criminal past but also a fascinating family history that raises the possibility of a genetic tendency towards violence.
Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen investigate the age-old concept of “bad families” and ask whether criminal behaviour is passed down through generations. And if so, is it through genes, our environment or our experiences?
CREDITS
Presenters: Dr Julia Shaw and Dr Adam Rutherford
Producer: Laura Northedge
Assistant Producer: Hannah Ward
Editor: Anna Lacey
Music: Matt ChandlerCommissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins
Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland#BadPeople_BBC

Criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw makes a return to the series with a new co-host: journalist Amber Haque. Each episode tells the story of a true crime and explains why people do bad things. Murder, blackmail, fraud and much more. Listen every Thursday. Bad People is a BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Sounds.