Forensics - Atavistic Form

Question 1

What are biological explanations of criminal behaviour?

Answer 1

Biological explanations of criminal behaviour assume that it is caused by innate tendencies, possibly determined by genes. Brain structure or functioning may be the cause of crime.

Question 2

Outline what is meant by the atavistic form

Answer 2

Lombroso argued that criminals were genetic throwbacks, meaning that they were more primitive than non-offenders, and were unsuited to living in civilised society.

They would therefore best be seen as a ‘sub-species’ of humanity. These ideas helped to move explanations for criminal behaviour towards a more scientific realm, but seem speculative by modern standards.

Question 3

Outline atavistic characteristics proposed by Lombroso

Answer 3

As criminal behaviour is biologically determined, Lombroso suggested that there were also physical characteristics accompanying the ‘sub-species’. These characteristics could be used to identify criminals just by looking at their face and head. They include:
- Facial asymmetry
- Dark skin
- Extra toes/fingers

Question 4

What did Lombroso suggest about the different features of different criminals?

Answer 4

Lombroso suggested that particular types of criminals had particular features.

For instance, a murderer would have bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears.

Fraudsters would have thin lips.

Criminals generally would, according to Lombroso, be insensitive to pain, use criminal slang language, have tattoos, and be unemployed.

Question 5

Outline Lombroso’s research into the atavistic form

Answer 5

In a study of 383 dead Italian criminals and 3839 living ones he found 40% of them had atavistic characteristics

Question 6

Evaluate the atavistic form explanation - scientific

Answer 6

Lombroso’s theories were the first attempt to explain criminal behaviours in a more scientific (rather than moralistic) way, by considering physiology and genetics. This helped pave the way for further investigation into evolutionary and biological explanations.

However, Lombroso did not use a control group, cannot identify if presence of atavistic characteristics is different from general population, also failed to account for confounding variable as many criminals had a history of psychological disorders – theory is not supported by valid research.

Question 7

Evaluate the atavistic form explanation - socially sensitive

Answer 7

Lombroso’s work has been accused of racism, as many of the atavistic features (dark skin, curly hair) are also features of people of African descent. The danger in accepting these theories would be that they could be used to support selective breeding (eugenics) in humans, which would be ethically unjustifiable today.

Question 8

Evaluate the atavistic form explanation - research

Answer 8

Goring (1913) found that, when comparing 3000 criminals with 3000 non-criminals, there was no evidence of particular physical characteristics amongst criminals, weakening the suggestion that it is possible to identify potential offenders just by sight.