Criminal behavior, particularly violent and anti-social behavior, is considered to be a major social problem with complex causes. It is known that a myriad of environmental, social, and psychological factors are associated with an increased risk of convictions for this type of criminality. Interrelated factors include poverty, poor housing, high levels of social inequality in society, low educational attainment, poor diet, low self-esteem, and impulsivity.

A vast criminological literature identifies a wide range of environmental factors as causally linked to criminal behavior. These include developmental, social, and economic factors. For example, poverty is often cited as a socioeconomic condition linked to crime. The stress, strain, and frustration experienced by those lacking the financial resources to meet their needs and fulfill their desires through legitimate means render them more inclined to commit crimes than affluent individuals with ready access to legitimate means. Poor nutrition is an especially troubling aspect of poverty. Nutritional deficiencies can result in or exacerbate problems such as learning disabilities and poor impulse control. Such cognitive dysfunctions have been identified as precursors to delinquency and adult criminality. Thus, one's position in the social structure of society can be a significant contributing factor in the criminal activities of some individuals by its impact on brain function.

The origin of crime can be traced back to at least 7000 years, when Cain murdered his brother, Abel, as mentioned in the Bible. That was the first murder and the first crime committed in this world, and ever since then, humanity has been committing crimes of different levels, such as the most recent and shocking Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. For a long time, criminologists have pondered a way to prevent crime, which is why it is important to examine criminal behavior and why crimes are committed.