Tests identify if children as young as 3 will be criminals

Tests can predict whether children as young as three will grow up to be criminals, claim a disproportionate amount of benefits or be obese, researchers have found in a 35-year study.

Scientists from King’s College London believe society could intervene to give the children better chances after studying a group of more than 1,000 people until they were aged 38.

They found one fifth of a study group, all born in Dunedin, New Zealand, were responsible for 81% of criminal convictions, 66% of welfare benefits, and 57% spending nights in hospital.