Forensics - biological explanations: historical

Question 1

what was the first biological explanation for criminality

Answer 1

the atavistic form

Question 2

who was the atavistic form proposed by

Answer 2

Lombroso (1876)

Question 3

who was Lombroso inspired by?

Answer 3

Darwin’s evolutionary theory

Question 4

how did Lombroso identify characteristics of the Atavistic form

Answer 4

examined faces of dead and alive criminals. 40% of criminals had atavistic traits

Question 5

atavistic form

Answer 5

criminals are ‘genetic throwbacks’. a primitive subspecies that are biologically different than non-criminals. lack evolutionary development (degeneration)

Question 6

physiological markers of the atavistic form

Answer 6

• narrow sloping brow
• strong prominent jaw
• high cheekbones
• facial assymetry
• dark skin
• polydactyly

Question 7

personality traits of atavistic form

Answer 7

• insensitivity to pain
• liking for tattoos
• use of slang
• unemployment

Question 8

Sheldon (1940)

Answer 8

3 body types: endomorphs, mesomorphs and ectomorphs. (round, muscular, tall and thin). 200 criminals rated 1-7 how mesomorphic body type was. criminals = 4.6, control = 3.8

Question 9

strength of atavistic form

Answer 9

+ Lombroso coined ‘criminology’. beginnings of criminal profiling. shifted understanding from religious beliefs

Question 10

limitations of atavistic form

Answer 10

• DeLisi found Lombroso’s legacy was not positive. it was a subjective theory with racist undertones
• Lombroso has no control group. Hay and Forest found link between social conditions and crime
• Lombroso ignores environmental factors e.g. poverty, poor education, etc.
• Goring (2013) compared 3000 offenders with control group and found no evidence for Lombroso’s theory
• Kurtzberg (1968). facial surgery to fix defects after prison = less recidivism (commiting more crimes). facial defects = different treatment (bullied).