Explanations of Offending (Forensic Psychology)

Question 1

Atavistic form

Answer 1

a biological approach to offending that attributes criminal activity to the fact that offenders are genetic throwbacks or a primitive subspecies ill-suited to conforming to the rules of modern society. Such individuals are distinguishable by particular facial and cranial characteristics

Question 2

Atavistic characteristics

Answer 2

• Lombroso (1876) theorised that criminals could be identified by physiological markers (physical characteristics) mainly on the face and head
• other signs of criminality: insensitivity to pain, tattoos, unemployments, use of slang

Question 3

Lombroso’s characteristics of criminals

Answer 3

Cranial:

• narrow, sloping brow
• a strong, prominent jaw
• high cheekbones
• facial asymmetry

-other features are:

• dark skin
• extra toes, nipples or fingers

Question 4

Lombroso’s research

Answer 4

Lombroso examined cranial and facial features of living and dead criminals:
• 383 dead and 3839 living criminals (skulls)
• concluded that 40% of all criminal acts should be accounted for by people with atavistic characteristics

Question 5

Variations of Atavistic Form: features and associated crimes

Answer 5

• murderers were thought to have bloodshot eyes, strong jaws, long ears and curly hair
• sexual deviants were said to have glinting eyes, swollen, fleshy lips and projecting ears
• fraudsters lips were thin and reedy