forensics- biological exps for OB Flashcards
who formulated the historical approach (atavistic form)
cesare lombroso
what is meant by atavistic form in relation to ob
an early bio exp which proposed that criminals are a subspecies of genetic throwbacks that cannot conform to the rules of modern society > turn to crime
saw ob as a natural tendency in genealogy of those who engage in it
biologically different to noncriminals, lacking evolutionary development
such are distinguishable by particular social and cranial characs
atavistic- tendency to revert back to ancestral type
context for lombroso developing af
darwin had recently introduced theory of evolution
egs of atavistic characteristics/physical markers
asymmetrical face, excessively sharp jaw/cheekbones, eye defects, tiny/massive ears, nose twisted/upturned/flattened in thieves, beak like in murderers, more fingers/toes/nipples, really long arms, dark skin
egs of non physical traits that are characs of a born criminal
insensitivity to pain, criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment
lombrosos research inc an eg of a study and findings
empirical, studying living faces of criminals and pms of dead ones, anthropometry- measurement of humans eg precise measurement of skulls, L and co examined 50,000+ bodies
in a study of 383 italian criminals 21% had just 1 atavistic trait and 43% had at least 5
lombroso- role of E in later exp and link to issues/debates
later- unlikely only 1 factor causes ob so said inherited AF interacts with physical and social E, (still determinism cus factors outside persons control n/n determines oB)
how did lombroso distinguish between types of criminals- later developed exp and moving away from af as only exp
born criminals- atavistic type/”throwbacks”, can id from physical characs.
insane criminals- suffer from mental illness
criminaloids- a large class of criminals, mental characs predispose them to ob under the right circumstances ie phys/soc E
what are somatotypes and who made a proposal about 4 of them
dntk
enst kretschmer 4 types based on studies of 4000+ criminals
leptosome/asthenic- tall/thin > petty thieves
athletic- tall muscular > violent crimes
pyknic- short/fat > deception/violence
dysplastic/mixed - more than one type > crimes against morality eg prostitution
strength of lombroso: contribution to science of criminology, founder of modern criminology, prior….
before, crimes were studied but the criminals were not as it was assumed that OB was free will and this could be deterred through punishment
but lombroso believed in less harsh treatment and a more humane view that both biology and E remove free will
said evidence based approach is required and based ideas on empiricap obs and detailed measurement
therefore raised possibilities of scientific studies of criminal mind
limitation of lombroso: method didnt contain …
inc study which shows what lombroso didnt look at
studying non prisoners/lack of adequate controls. if i did then likely wouldve found many non prisoners with the same characts.
charles goring compared 3000 convicts with non convicts and found no differences except cons were slightly smaller.
lack of controls > undermines conclusions
limitation of lombroso: gender biased views about women
androcentric views- ideas based on the idea that women are less evolved than men, typical 19C views not empirical evidence
didnt study women directly.
believe they were naturally jealous, insensitive to pain, low in intelligence, maternally focused and these all make them less likely to be criminals,
those that did had masc characs that turned them into “monsters”.
limitation of lombroso: scientific racism and links to the eugenics movement
distinct racial undertones are highlighted as physical markers eg curly hair and dark skin which are most likely found among people of african descent
also the description of atavistic as “uncivilised, primitive and savage” would lend support to many eugenic philosophies which is controversial and overshadows criminology
moving criminology inot more rigorous and scientific realm, laid foundation for modern offender profiling
