Forensics: Biological Approach - Historical

Question 1

What did Lombroso argue in 1876?

Answer 1

• that a criminal is a separate species, between modern and primitive humans.
• the physical shape of the head and face determined the born criminal.

Question 2

What was lombroso’s research?

Answer 2

Examined 383 dead skulls of criminals and found facial features such as: heavy brows, large strong jaw, large ears, etc. more common.

Question 3

What’s some strengths of lombrosos research?

Answer 3

• moved criminal research from moralistic to more scientific
• Hooten supported this by conducting a 12 year study comparing around 13,000 male prisoners in 10 US states to a control of 3,023 men. Argued criminal behaviour was due to biological inferiority and ‘degeneration’ and also had a list of physical features he believed indicated criminal behaviour (e.g. sloping head, protruding ears, narrow jaw, etc)

Question 4

What are some weaknesses to Lombrosos research?

Answer 4

• scientific racism
• Gorling looked at facial features on 3000 criminals and non-criminals and found no evidence for facial features for criminals
• skulls could have included people who had learning difficulties and this may have skewed the measurements as some learning difficulties have physical effects on facial features
• Kaplan also states that poor appearance is linked with poor social interactions and can bring out criminal behaviour due to poor self-esteem and a reluctance to conform.
• also didnt include a control group, so no comparison