Forensics - Atavistic Form Flashcards
What is the atavistic form?
The atavistic form is a biological approach to offending that suggests offenders are genetic throwbacks or primitive sub-species who are biologically ill-suited to modern society. These individuals are distinguishable by specific facial and cranial characteristics.
What is the historical background of the atavistic form?
In 1876, Cesare Lombroso, an Italian physician, proposed the idea of the atavistic form in his book L’Homme Delinquente. He argued that criminals were genetic throwbacks who were biologically different from non-criminals, which made them more primitive and savage. Lombroso’s theory was among the first to shift criminology towards a more scientific basis.
What are atavistic characteristics?
Lombroso identified specific physical traits as atavistic characteristics, including:
A narrow, sloping brow.
A prominent jaw.
High cheekbones.
Facial asymmetry.
Dark skin.
Extra toes, fingers, or nipples.
Beyond physical features, Lombroso suggested traits like tattoos, unemployment, use of criminal slang, and insensitivity to pain were associated with criminality.
What was Lombroso’s research methodology?
Lombroso examined the cranial and facial features of 383 deceased criminals and 3839 living ones. Based on his observations, he concluded that 40% of criminal acts were committed by individuals with atavistic characteristics.
What is the main idea behind Lombroso’s theory?
Lombroso theorized that criminal behaviour was an evolutionary throwback, and those with atavistic traits were less evolved, more primitive, and biologically predisposed to crime. He believed these physical features reflected their inability to adapt to modern society.
What is one evaluation point on Lombroso’s contribution to criminology?
Lombroso has been hailed as the ‘father of modern criminology’ (Hollin, 1989). He is credited as shifting the emphasis in crime research away from a moralistic discourse (in which offenders were judged as being wicked and weak-minded) towards a more scientific realm (that of evolutionary influences and genetics). Also, in trying to describe how particular types of people are likely to commit particular types of crime, Lombroso’s theory, in many ways, heralded the beginning of criminal profiling. In this way, he made a major contribution to the science of criminology.
What is one evaluation point on scientific racism in Lombroso’s work?
Several critics, including Matt DeLisi (2012), have drawn attention to the distinct racial undertones within Lombroso’s work. Many of the features that Lombroso identified as criminal and atavistic, such as curly hair and dark skin, are most likely to be found among people of African descent. Similarly, his description of the atavistic being as ‘uncivilised, primitive, savage’ would lend support to many of the eugenic philosophies of the time. Whether Lombroso intended this to be the case or not is a matter of debate; though there is little doubt it is an uncomfortable and controversial aspect of his legacy which continues to overshadow criminology.
What is one evaluation point on contradictory evidence for Lombroso’s theory?
Charles Goring (1913), like Lombroso, set out to establish whether there were any physical or mental abnormalities among the criminal classes. After conducting a comparison between 3000 criminals and 3000 non-criminals, he concluded that there was no evidence that offenders are a distinct group with unusual facial and cranial characteristics (though he did suggest that many people who commit crime have lower than average intelligence).
This highlights the lack of scientific support for Lombroso’s argument that criminals are a ‘sub-species’; it does not mean, however, that there are no individual differences in terms of their appearance.
What is one evaluation point on poor control in Lombroso’s research?
Unlike Goring, Lombroso did not compare his criminal sample with a non-criminal control group. If he had done so, the significant differences he reported in terms of atavistic form may have disappeared. Lombroso also failed to account for other important variables within his research. Many of the criminals he studied had suffered from psychological disorders that may have confounded the findings.
