Forensics- Biological Explanations: Atavistic Form Flashcards
Atavistic form -
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.
What is the atavistic form theory proposed by Cesare Lombroso?
The atavistic form theory, proposed by Cesare Lombroso in 1876, suggests that criminals are ‘genetic throwbacks’—a primitive sub-species biologically different from non-criminals. Lombroso believed criminals lacked evolutionary development, making them unable to adjust to civilized society and prone to criminal behavior.
How did Lombroso describe criminals in terms of evolutionary development?
Lombroso described criminals as lacking evolutionary development, possessing a savage and untamed nature that made it impossible for them to adapt to civilized society, leading inevitably to crime.
What are atavistic characteristics according to Lombroso?
Atavistic characteristics are biologically determined physiological markers, mainly features of the face and head, that Lombroso claimed made criminals physically different. These include a narrow, sloping brow, strong prominent jaw, high cheekbones, facial asymmetry, dark skin, and extra toes, nipples, or fingers.
How did Lombroso categorize criminals based on physical traits?
Lombroso categorized criminals by linking specific physical traits to types of crimes. For example, murderers were described as having bloodshot eyes, curly hair, and long ears; sexual deviants had glinting eyes, swollen lips, and projecting ears; and fraudsters had thin, ‘reedy’ lips.
What other traits did Lombroso associate with the ‘born criminal’?
Besides physical traits, Lombroso suggested that ‘born criminals’ exhibited insensitivity to pain, used criminal slang, had tattoos, and were often unemployed.
What was the scope of Lombroso’s research on atavistic characteristics?
Lombroso examined the facial and cranial features of 383 dead criminals and 3,839 living ones, concluding that 40% of criminal acts were committed by people with atavistic characteristics.
What is Lombroso’s contribution to criminology?
Lombroso is hailed as the ‘father of modern criminology’ for shifting the focus from moralistic judgments to a more scientific approach, emphasizing evolutionary influences and genetics. His work laid the foundation for modern offender profiling.
What criticism is associated with Lombroso’s theory regarding racism?
Critics, such as Matt DeLisi (2012), highlight the racist undertones in Lombroso’s work. Many atavistic features he identified, like curly hair and dark skin, are more common in people of African descent, and his descriptions of criminals as ‘uncivilized’ and ‘primitive’ align with eugenic philosophies of the time.
What contradictory evidence challenges Lombroso’s theory?
Charles Goring (1913) compared 3,000 criminals to 3,000 non-criminals and found no evidence that offenders had unusual facial or cranial characteristics. However, he noted that criminals often had lower-than-average intelligence, which partially supports Lombroso’s idea of criminals as a ‘sub-species.’
What methodological flaws are present in Lombroso’s research?
Lombroso did not use a non-criminal control group, which could have invalidated his findings. He also failed to account for confounding variables, such as psychological disorders, which may have influenced his results.
Why is causation an issue in Lombroso’s theory?
Even if some criminals exhibit atavistic traits, these traits may not cause criminal behavior. Factors like poverty or poor diet could influence physical appearance, and Lombroso later acknowledged that environmental factors also play a role in criminal behavior.
What environmental influences on criminal behavior did Lombroso later acknowledge?
In his later work, Lombroso acknowledged that environmental factors, such as poverty, upbringing, and social conditions, could contribute to criminal behavior, suggesting that criminals could be ‘made’ as well as ‘born.’
What is the significance of Lombroso’s work despite its flaws?
Despite its flaws, Lombroso’s work marked a shift toward a more scientific study of crime and laid the groundwork for modern criminology and offender profiling techniques.
How did Lombroso’s theory influence modern offender profiling?
By attempting to link physical and behavioral traits to specific types of crime, Lombroso’s theory heralded the beginning of criminal profiling, influencing later approaches to understanding and identifying offenders.
What is the legacy of Lombroso’s atavistic form theory?
Lombroso’s legacy is mixed; while he advanced criminology into a more scientific realm, his theory is also criticized for its racist undertones, methodological flaws, and oversimplification of the causes of criminal behavior.
