Amani K and Triveni S
Karnatak University, Dharwad
This research paper aims to examine variations in cognitive executive functions
among individuals accused of different types of crimes, including recidivism, property
crime, crime against the human body, and offenses related to the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). A total of 125 participants, housed in the Central
Prison, were selected for the study. The participants’ executive functions were assessed
using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test for mental shift, the Digit Backward test for working
memory, and the Go/No-Go test for impulse inhibition. The collected data were analysed
using MANOVA. The results of the tests showed statistical significance. Individuals
accused of crimes related to the NDPS act demonstrated superior performance in the
WCST and working memory tasks
.