Darn, I had something I really wanted to add here and I can't for the life of me remember what it was .

But what I will say, is that I see what you are saying Bec, re the children in Africa vs USA. I would take this a step further and say that I believe these horrendous crimes have become more common in recent times (as in compared to a generation ago even). I think that our society has a lot to do with it. I don't know what it is about our society, but it could be the rushed, stressful lives many people lead, it could be having working parents when growing up, it could be chemicals in food - I don't know exactly what it is, but IMO something in our so called Modern Society and First World is making it more likely for someone to be triggered into "evil". This is why it is more common than it was, and why it is more common in rich countries. It might even be just that we, as a society in general, have become the "no responsibility generation" - like you say Bec, I totally agree that people's pasts should not excuse their actions. The fact that people don't take responsibility for, and are not made to take responsibility for their actions, is IMO a HUGE problem and IS a contributing factor to people committing crimes. However, I think that is simplistic to point to any one of these things and say "they are evil (or did an evil thing) because...". Surely it is a combination of things that has taken a person to that point where they have crossed the line.