What Role Did Accused Soldier’s Brain Damage Play In Afghan Massacre? (UPDATED) -- Danger Room
It’s incredibly difficult to surmise what might have pushed one American sergeant to allegedly massacre 16 Afghan civilians. But new details about the still-unnamed staff sergeant’s background suggest that brain damage, wrought by a traumatic brain injury during an earlier deployment, might have been a contributing factor.
It would be misleading, and downright reductionist, to suggest that TBI sufferers will commit murders. But scientists have linked brain trauma to some violent episodes.
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My Comment: There is not enough information on this incident to make a proper assessment on what caused a soldier to commit a massacre in Afghanistan this weekend. But I am sure that in the weeks to come numerous psychiatrists, trauma specialists, etc. are going to examine this one particular soldier and what caused him to snap.