Forensics - Lombroso Atavistic form

Question 1

Context of Atavistic form

Answer 1

By Lombroso
Based on biological factors to explain criminal behaviour.
Some people are born with a criminal personality (innate)
Can be identified by the way they look
Distinct biological class of people that were prone to criminality - exhibited ‘atavistic’ features
Based this theory on his own research

Question 2

Key study

Answer 2

Aim: Identify distinguishing physical features among male criminals, which set them apart as offenders
Examined the features and measurements of nearly 4000 criminals + skulls of 400 dead criminals.
40% of those examined had atavistic features
Conclusion: these characteristics indicated that such people were more primitive in an evolutionary sense - such individuals were not responsible for their actions as it was down to their innate, inherited psychology

Question 3

Genetic throwbacks

Answer 3

Less evolved and therefore the behaviour of these bio ‘throwbacks will not fit in with the rules and expectations of modern civilized society

Question 4

SHREK

Answer 4

S- sloping brow
H- high cheekbones
R- really large jaw
E- Ears are really long
K- K(c)urly hair

Question 5

Recidivism and facial surgery

Answer 5

Prisoners behaviour had improved following facial surgery
Had surgery - recidivism rate 42%
Didn’t have surgery - recidivism rate 70%
Those who had facial surgery tended to do better on release from prison than those who did not

Question 6

Somatotypes - Kretschmer

Answer 6

Certain atavistic features were associated with certain crimes - murderers had bloodshot eyes
Tall + thin - petty thieves (Leptosome or Asthenic)
Tall + muscular - crimes of violence (Athletic)
Short + fat - crimes of deception + sometimes violence (Pyknic)
More than one type - crimes against morality (prostitution) (Dysplastic or Mixed)

Question 7

Advantages

Answer 7

Lombroso was first person to bring science + biology of a person to the study of crime
Use of evidence to support theory - proposed from his own observations of criminals
Led to investigating further bio explanations - genes + structure of the brain

Question 8

Limitations

Answer 8

DeLisi branded theory as racist - just cs an individual has those features, does not make them a criminal (African Americans have curly hair, more likely to be a criminal?)
Unscientific approach
Correlation does not mean causation
Emphasised the criminal stereotype
Lack of control during Lombroso’s experiment - didn’t pay the same attention to criminals and those outside of prison
Determinism - is there no free will on whether an individual commits an offence.