A pioneering study published in PLOS One reveals a remarkable link between lower resting heart rate in women and a greater propensity for non-violent criminal behavior and unintentional injuries.

Lower autonomic arousal as a risk factor for criminal offending and unintentional injuries among female conscripts
Background Lower autonomic arousal is a well-known correlate of criminal offending and other risk-taking behaviors in men, but few studies have investigated this association in women. Aim To test associations between autonomic arousal and criminal offending as well as unintentional injuries among female conscripts. Methods All women born 1958–1994 in Sweden who participated in voluntary military conscription (n = 12,499) were identified by linking Swedish population-based registers. Predictors were resting heart rate (RHR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Covariates were height, weight, and physical energy capacity. Main outcomes were criminal convictions (any, violent, and non-violent) from the National Crime Register. Secondary outcome was unintentional injuries requiring medical treatment or causing death. We used survival analyses to test for associations between predictors and outcomes. Results Low RHR, relative to high RHR, was associated with an increased risk of any criminal conviction, non-violent criminal convictions, and unintentional injuries. Low SBP, relative to high SBP, was associated with an increased risk of violent criminal convictions. Conclusions Results support lower autonomic arousal, particularly lower RHR, as a correlate of criminal offending among women that warrants further examination, as the reported findings have potential implications for the prediction of future female crime.
PLOS ONESofi Oskarsson ,

The research, the result of a collaborative effort by the United States, Sweden and Finland, meticulously followed the criminal records and health data of 12,499 Swedish women for up to 40 years.

This comprehensive analysis revealed that women with a resting heart rate below 69 beats per minute (BPM) were 35% more likely to have criminal convictions compared to those with rates above 83 BPM.

The study emphasizes that a lower heart rate does not determine criminal activity, but suggests an intriguing biological basis for risky behavior, regardless of gender.

According to the research, this phenomenon can be attributed to reduced activity in the autonomic nervous system, the system responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate.

This decreased activity could theoretically lead individuals to seek excitement and engage in riskier ventures.

Significantly, an association was identified between lower heart rates and a higher incidence of non-violent crime, while violent crime did not show the same correlation.

The research also found a link between lower systolic blood pressure and an increased risk of criminal activity, further suggesting the complex interaction between physiological factors and behavior, reveals Science Alert.1

Your Heart Rate Could Predict Whether You’re More Likely to Be a Criminal
A study published back in 2015 revealed a curious link between crime and unintentional injury rates in men and a low resting heart rate.
ScienceAlertRebecca Dyer

Science Alert

The implications of these findings are profound, suggesting that the consideration of biological factors, traditionally neglected in crime prevention strategies, could enrich our understanding of criminal behavior.

This perspective challenges the conventional focus on social and personality factors alone, advocating for a more holistic approach to crime prevention.

However, the study also warns against over-generalization, noting that the group of female military volunteers may not fully represent the wider population.

Further research is needed to validate these findings in a wider demographic group, to better understand the biological influences on criminal behavior.