Biological explanation: Atavistic Form

Question 1

Who came up with the Historic approach or Atavistic form

Answer 1

Cesare Lombroso

Question 2

Atavistic form

Answer 2

Early biological explanation which proposed that criminals are a sub-species of genetic throwbacks that cannot conform to the rules of modern society. These individuals tend to have particular facial and cranial characteristics

Question 3

The characteristics of a criminal

Answer 3

Strong, prominent jaw
High cheekbones
Dark skin
Extra toes, nipples or fingers

Question 4

Characteristics of a Murderer

Answer 4

Bloodshot eyes
curly hair
long ears

Question 5

Sexual deviant

Answer 5

Glinting eyes
swollen,fleshy lips

Question 6

Fraudsters

Answer 6

Thin and reedy lips

Question 7

Other non-physical traits include…

Answer 7

Insensitivity to pain
Unemployment
Tattoos
Use of criminal slang

Question 8

Lombroso’s research

Answer 8

Examined the facial and cranial features of Italian convicts both living and dead and proposed that an atavistic form was a key indicator of criminality.

In all, he examined skulls of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living ones and concluded that 40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics