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Pedophiles can be more easily identified due to facial abnormalities. Scientists have studied several pedophiles and identified some common traits. The study suggests that physical deformities of the face and head of pedophiles are formed during the prenatal period.
New research suggests that pedophiles are prone to superficial facial defects known as minor physical anomalies (MPA). They are also more likely to be left-handed, says Fiona Dyshniku of the University of Windsor in Canada, who investigated the prevalence and distribution of physical anomalies in men referred for sexological evaluations. Writing in Science Daily, the study in the journal Springer Archives of Sexual Behavior adds to growing evidence that pedophilia is formed prenatally, around the same time such physical defects appear. “Evidence is steadily accumulating to support a neurodevelopmental basis for pedophilia,” Dyshniku says. “If we find that pedophilia has a biological basis and that it develops very early, even prenatally, this will impact and hopefully improve treatments for this group.” Facial anomalies may include, but are not limited to, undetached earlobes, malformed ears or palate deformities. These features are formed during the sensitive first and second trimesters of pregnancy, when the baby is still in the womb, from the same layer of primary embryonic tissue that gives rise to the central nervous system. They may occur due to prenatal exposure to viruses, alcohol or drugs, obstetric complications or nutritional deficiencies. These traits were more prevalent in males, which may mean that the male brain is more vulnerable to disruptive events during prenatal development.
Basically, pedophilia is a nature behavior, not a learned one. “If we know more about the etiology of harmful behaviors, we can develop more effective treatments and consider prevention,” said Rachel Fazio, a clinical neuropsychologist and co-author of the study. “For many years, people assumed that child molestation was in some way a learned behavior, perhaps from abusers who were themselves sexually abused as children. While this may be a factor in some cases, it is not true for true pedophiles.” For Dyshniku’s study, 140 consenting participants were sent to the Kurt Freund Laboratory at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto to be assessed for the presence of unwanted or illegal sexual behaviors. Routine sexological assessments included a review of forensic and medical records, a semistructured interview covering criminal and sexual history, and a phallometry test for pornographic preferences. The presence of specific physical abnormalities and whether the participant had a right or left hand were also assessed.
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