Experiences in prenatal life and early childhood that may cause personality disorders or criminal behavior in later life are examined in these proceedings of the Subcommittee on Childhood Experiences as Causes of Criminal Behavior of the Standing Committee on Health, Welfare and Science, Senate of Canada. This issue, the fourth in a series of 19 hearings dating from November 1977 to July 1978, presents expert testimony by Dr. Gordon E. Warme concerning the early causes of psychopathology, and particularly of violent behavior. Dr. Warme's thesis is that children who are treated violently by their parents or significant others will repeat that violent behavior. The witness is questioned about the early symptoms of later psychopathic character and about the contribution of the following factors to psychopathic behavior: parental discipline, childhood environment, child abuse, premature birth and lack of bonding, brain injury, alcohol and nutrition deficiencies. The lack of longitudinal research in this area and the reluctance of clinicians to do this difficult kind of research are also discussed. The testimony was presented in the form of a brief prepared statement and responses to questions from subcommittee members. Both English and French texts are provided. (Author/SS)