A Historical Approach (bio explanation)

Question 1

What makes the atavistic form a historical approach?

Answer 1

• 1876 Lombroso wrote a book called ‘the criminal man’ in which he suggested crinimals are ‘genetic throwbacks’ - a primitive subspecies who were biologically different to non-criminals
• today his theory would be considered speculative naive

Question 2

How is atavistic form a biological approach?

Answer 2

• Criminals were seen as lacking in evolutionary development (savage and untamed nature)
• unable to adjust to civilised society and so would turn to crime
• Offending behaviour was rooted in genes and he suggested offending behaviour was innate and an offender was not to blame for his actions (revolutionary)

Question 3

What is Atavistic Form?

Answer 3

• Offender can be identified as having physiological markers linked to certain offences
• included narrow sloping brow, a strong prominent jaw, high cheekbones and facial asymmetry, dark skin and extra toes nipples and fingers
• other factors included insensitivity to pain, use of slang, tattoos and unemployment

Question 4

How did Lombroso categorise offenders?

Answer 4

• In terms of their physical and facial characteristics
• Murderers have bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears
• Sexual deviants have fleshy swollen lips and projecting ears
• fraudsters have thing and reedy lips

Question 5

What was Lombroso’s Research?

Answer 5

• examined facial and cranial features of Italian convicts
• concluded they had atavistic form and that and that these features were key indicators of criminality
• He examined the skulls of 383 dead convicts and 3839 living ones and concluded 40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics