Medical examiner seeks genetic clues to Adam Lanza's motives

Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner Dr. H. Wayne Carver II told the Hartford Courant Tuesday that he has teamed up with a geneticist from the University of Connecticut for his investigation. / CBS News

HARTFORD, Conn. Connecticut's chief medical examiner says he's seeking genetic clues to help explain why a shooter killed 20 children and six adults in a Newtown elementary school.

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Can a mental disorder make someone violent?

Dr. H. Wayne Carver II tells The Hartford Courant that he wants to know if there is any identifiable disease associated with the behavior of the shooter, Adam Lanza. He is working with the University of Connecticut department of genetics.

Family friends Mark and Louise Tambascio told CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley on last Sunday's 60 Minutes that Adam's mother, Nancy Lanza, had told them that her son suffered from Asperger's syndrome, and it was a full-time obligation to take care of him.

Paula Levy, a mediator who worked with Lanza's parents during their divorce, also said Lanza was diagnosed with the autism spectrum disorder.

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Carver however says Asperger's is not associated with violent behavior, a point many experts and advocates have been raising in light of the reports of Lanza's condition. He says he's not considering Asperger's as a reason for Lanza's rampage on Friday.

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Is there a link between Asperger's and violent behavior?

Asperger's "is simply not on the menu, in terms of what is wrong with this kid," he told the paper.

Carver is awaiting toxicology testing results for Lanza and other information.

Lanza fatally shot himself as first responders approached the school Friday morning.

A total of 26 people were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in one of the worst mass shootings in U.S history.

[anangelsfaith]

Too bad this medical guy is also the ICE MAN ex mafia killer and the rest of the crew actors in this fake shooting are all GREENBERGS! go check out Leon Greenberg on Facebook and look at his pics...they just so happen to be GREENBERGS too..but strangly the ones who were on the news as supposed sobbing parents..and then check out Michael Greenberg the news guy...related...the family comes from NY and Baseball. Some of the wealthiest frauds and actors in the USA...and society is believing all the garbage..oh yes..the lawer for the batman shooting..that lady is the same sobbing parent on the news for sandy hook...How is that? AND one of the victoms from the AZ shooting...you guessed it..another supposed shooting victom and a GREENBERG...They are making bank on the us people...from donations...you name it..THEN check out all the supposed victoms and charities set up for the supposed victoms before the even happened....AND...the news accidently showed St. Lima School instead of Sandy Hook..why? FAKE!! Its to diss arm the americans to get them to give up their guns! The majority of these recent shootings are actors, frauds, and fakes! Time to wake up sleepy sheeples! LEON GREENBERG...PULL THE CIGAR OUT OF YOUR FACE AND WIPE THAT GRIN OFF YOUR MOUTH...YOU GUYS HAVENT GOTTEN AWAY WITH NOTHING and I know the boy on the left in the red is so call Carlos Matthew Soto...fake brother of Victoria Soto who is probably fake too....I wonder how long it will be before you change your name and act if you havent already...like the wife..Brenda..already has!

[stunnednconcerned]

I'm seriously confused. Like seriously!! Asperger's don't lash out? I beg to differ having 3 children on the spectrum. If attacked, criticized, bullied, or taunted they can and do attack, only with much more devastation. Personally, one of these things happened to him, and obviously it all stemmed back to the computer(online gaming is my guess)..because why else would he destroy the one thing he loved? And yes, don't fool yourself, kids are on those gaming sites constantly attacking others for the fun of it, and yes, it's kids 11 and under that are the worst.

[ADifferentVoice]

Despite information reported in the media, i continue to suspect that psych meds played a part in this tragic incident. Both antipsychotic and antidepressant meds, as well as some others, have been known to induce violence (toward self and/or others) in SOME individuals! Note that those who knew Adam said he was quiet and socially awkward/isolated; there is no mention of violence. His reported pending psychiatric commitment by his mother indicates his behavior was becoming very problematic, however. In my 30 years as a school psychologist i have never seen a situation get to this point without psych meds being tried, and the tendency is to either raise the dosage or add another med when things get worse! Many doctors in my experience (including psychiatrists) seem to be far too benign and not sufficiently cautious about these medications.

[hhackr]

then do not blame anyone when your child is out of control. Medications help a lot of people. Maybe a better choice would be to give him only the medication he needs under a careful watch.

[hhackr]

I guess you did not notice but not every one believes as you do. Instead of blaming tragedies on "God" , why don't you wait on the facts of why he did the crime? I am tired of some Christians thinking they are the only "right and moral" people in the world. I love many Christians, just not bigots that blame everything on taking God out of society". Also, the all caps response seems like a rant and rave to me, as well as telling people to go back where they came from. Many Americans are not Christians, but they have every right to be here. Ever heard of "separation of Church and State"? Also, I think you should read your own book (The Bible) which preaches of love and non-judgement.

[hhackr]

you sir are a bigot. Not everyone is a Christian- get over it.

[hhackr]

I agree.

[Marjorie Principe]

I am without any clue as to why this woman owned any guns at all.....knowing the severity of her son, Adam's, problems!!! It is beyond my comprehension!

[marine1957]

@MARJORIE:

My guess is that she believed that her son would enjoy shooting (and she enjoyed the sport, of course) and that this would be something they could each relate to and enjoy spending time together, being out and doing something.

However, it's too bad she didn't choose hiking or golf or race cars instead.

Disclaimer:
I am not a Psychiatrist or anything even close, but I have taken Psychology, Sociology, Marriage and Family Relationships, Human Relations in Industry, and Educational Psychology. This does not mean that I know anything, only that my mind has been broadened and I am able to see some things I would not without that education.

[Esther2112]

To solve a problem, the first step is to find the root cause.
Besides the tragic events and the lost of so many precious lives, it is incredible there is almost no information about the person who commit this despicable act.
Reading the news, we hear about everyone. But , about this young person , it seems like he did have :
* No human contact ... even close family, like his brother and father for at least 2 years.
* No friends
* No group to talk, no doctor to talk.
* No social networks.
* No game pals
Only a wealthy mother , that provides distractions(games, cars, arms) to his son, but... it seems like her love ended there. He was isolated with a mother that never reached out for help for her or her son.
Isolation.. years of isolation ... It takes a community to raise a child.... Where was the community for this young person? How it comes no one knows anything about him?
May be the change needs to happen in each of us. Get to know , show human interest, care for others, try to help/listen/ pay attention.

[Marjorie Principe]

I agree!

[JeffSmithDOJ]

For example 1 Pima County Superior Court Case Number D20030823.
- Judge Terry Chandler, Judge Sarah Simmons, Commissioner Margaret Maxwell ordered 50/50 custody
- Mother had drug and alcohol problems
- Mother could not hold a job or consistent residence
- Father was ordered to pay greater then $1,200.00 per year to the mother
- Father was the hardworking consistent and stable parent
For 7 years three children had been vulnerable and damaged by the court.
Result: child was damaged and did not become a productive adult!
For example 2 Pima County Superior Court Case Number D71706.
- Judge Terry Chandler, Judge Sarah Simmons, Commissioner Margaret Maxwell ordered 50/50 custody
- Mother had drug and alcohol problems, stabbed the father with a knife with medical and police rec.
- Mother could not hold a job or consistent residence
- Father was ordered to pay greater then $1,200.00 per year to the mother
- Father was the hardworking consistent and stable parent
For 10 years two children had been vulnerable and damaged by the court.
Result: child was damaged and did not become a productive adult!

[GossamerWings]

Interesting.