DNA of Sandy Hook killer Adam Lanza to be examined for 'evil' gene in first study of its kind ever conducted on a mass murderer

The study will be the first one of its kind and will evaluate any genetic evidence for the mass killing of 20 first graders, six members of staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School and his own mother.

PUBLISHED: 12:41 EST, 27 December 2012 | UPDATED: 01:36 EST, 28 December 2012

Scientists have been asked to study the DNA of Newtown school killer Adam Lanza to see if has an 'evil' gene that led him to carry out the massacre.

The study, which will look at any abnormalities or mutations in his individual DNA, is believed to be the first of its kind ever carried out on a mass murderer.

Lanza slaughtered 20 children and six adults in one of America's worst ever school shootings on December 14, 2012.

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Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter Adam Lanza at an unknown location in 2005 - Lanza's DNA is being examined for any evidence that could shed light on his actions that day

The 20 year old also shot dead his mother Nancy before taking his own life as police closed in on him at the Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut.

The massacre prompted President Obama to look into new gun controls and banning assault rifles such as AR-15 Bushmaster used by Lanza in his rampage.

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The study of the killer's DNA has been ordered by Connecticut Medical Examiner H. Wayne Carver who carried out the post mortems on all the victims.

He has contacted geneticists at University of Connecticut's to conduct the study.

Lanza slaughtered 20 children and six adults in one of America's worst ever school shootings the week before Christmas

Police tape stretches across the front yard of the Lanza residence in Newtown, Connecticut. Adam Lanza reportedly shot his mother Nancy Lanza inside before beginning his killing spree on December 14th

Nancy Lanza is pictured on a cruise at Newport Harbor, Rhode Island in this October 11, 2008 photo - Lanza was the mother of suspected gunman Adam Lanza

Geneticists said they are likely looking at Lanza's DNA to detect a mutation or abnormality that could increase the risk of aggressive or violent behavior.

They could analyse Lanza's entire genome in great detail and try to find any unexpected mutations.

Arthur Beaudet, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, said the University of Connecticut geneticists are most likely trying to 'detect clear abnormalities of what we would call a mutation in a gene'.

He added: 'Or gene abnormalities and there are some abnormalities that are related to aggressive behavior.

'They might look for mutations that might be associated with mental illnesses and ones that might also increase the risk for violence.

Beaudet, who is also the chairman of Baylor College of Medicine's department of molecular and human genetics in Houston, Texas said geneticists should be doing this type of research because there are 'some mutations that are known to be associated with at least aggressive behavior if not violent behavior.'

'I don't think any one of these mutations would explain all of (the mass shooters), but some of them would have mutations that might be causing both schizophrenia and related schizophrenia violent behavior,' Beaudet said.

'I think we could learn more about it and we should learn more about it.'

Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner H. Wayne Carver II talks to the media and answers questions the media about the elementary school shooting during a press conference

State police personnel lead children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School in this handout picture from the Newtown Bee, in Newtown, Connecticut

Beaudet,who is chairman of the Baylor College department of molecular and human genetics, said studying the genes of murderers is controversial because there is a risk that those with similar genetic characteristics could possibly be discriminated against or stigmatized.

But he said the research into Lanza would be helpful even if only a "fraction" may have the abnormality or mutation.

'Not all of these people will have identifiable genetic abnormalities,' Beaudet told ABC News in America.

'By studying genetic abnormalities we can learn more about conditions better and who is at risk and what might be dramatic treatments,' Beaudet said, adding if the gene abnormality is defined the 'treatment to stop' other mass shootings or 'decrease the risk is much approved.'

Police have so far failed to find a motive for Lanza going on the deadly rampage.

Although known to be shy and social inept Lanza had not shown any violent streak although he was known to spend hours in the basement of his home playing violent video games.

His mental condition may also have been affected by his 52 year old mum who was a 'prepper' and had stockpiled food and guns in readiness for a disaster.

A six year old British boy, Dylan Hockley, was among the young victims gunned down the week before Christmas.

First-grader Henry Terifay and his sister, fourth-grader Kelly Terifay, wait outside Sandy Hook Elementary School after a shooting

VIDEO: Are genes to blame for bad behavior?

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School Shooter's DNA to Be Studied

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Evil cannot always be attributed to genes. There is a devil, and there is true evil. People define evil differently. This is a dangerous precedent, looking for a gene that predisposes to violent, or evil, behavior. The next step is to find others who have this gene. Environment counts, too, so this hunt for an evil gene is pointless ; I guess we can expect defense attorneys to use "my evil gene made me do it" defense as well.

- SiobhanKelly , Savannah GA USA, 28/12/2012 20:30

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Ummm......I thought it was the evil gun? Certainly the person cannot be responsible, could they?

- John , Atlanta USA, 28/12/2012 20:25

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If he does have the gene he must be released with no remaining charges. Why isn't the LGBT groups out there protesting for his release? Isn't their stance that they are born that way, so it's normal? Why shouldn't someone with the violent gene get the same treatment? It's normal to be violent with that gene.

- goofy173 , chaneleste, 28/12/2012 20:20

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Obama must have the same gene he kills little afghani kids in drone strikes almost everyday

- Charles , Annapolis, United States, 28/12/2012 19:51

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Obama must have the same gene he kills little afghani kids in drone strikes almost everyday

- Charles , Annapolis, United States, 28/12/2012 19:51

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Obama must have the same gene he kills little afghani kids in drone strikes almost everyday

- Charles , Annapolis, United States, 28/12/2012 19:51

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Maybe they should test Ozzie Osbourne for the evil gene first ...

- Gerel Gruber , madison, United States, 28/12/2012 19:37

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Unless they planned to actually DO SOMETHING with the test results, it is just a waste of time.... I mean if there is an "Evil Gene", and it can be identified, are babies going to be tested from birth and put on a watch list, throughout their lives? Are mental health facilities and mental health care workers going to be testing their patients for this gene and put them on a community watch list? If not, then why bother, what does it matter, if the information will not be used in any way that will protect people in the future?

- ghostsouls , Yukon, 28/12/2012 19:33

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He was being poisoned with dangerous drugs by psychiatrists since age ten. Study THAT too.

- MrEguy , Los Angeles, United States, 28/12/2012 18:45

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Since most of the school killers were white, younger and upper middle class, I wonder what happened when they first started school. When a small active or over active boy doesn't behave like a girl, he's labeled ADD and given ritalin. In addition to checking DNA, maybe they should start looking at all of their medical histories.

- squirefld , Pittsburgh, United States, 28/12/2012 18:42

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