Lesson 3: Atavistic Form

Question 1

‘L’Huomo Delinquente’

Answer 1

In 1876, Cesare Lombroso, an Italian physician, wrote a book called ‘L’Huomo Delinquente’ in which he suggested that criminals were genetic throwbacks, a primitive sub-species who were biologically different from non-criminals. Offenders were seen as lacking evolutionary development, their savage and untamed nature meant that they would find it impossible to adjust to the demands of a civilised society and would inevitably turn to crime. As such Lombroso saw criminal behaviour as a natural tendency, rooted in the genealogy of those who engage it.

Question 2

What is the ‘atavistic form’?

Answer 2

Lombroso argued that the criminal sub-species could be identified by a set of particular physiological characteristics that were linked to particular types of crime. These were biologically determined atavistic (return to something ancestral) characteristics, mainly features of the face and head, which indicate that criminals are physically different from the rest of us.

Question 3

Cranial characteristics of atavistic form

Answer 3

Narrow sloping brow, strong prominent jaw, high cheekbones and facial asymmetry. Other physical features included dark skin and extra toes, nipples or fingers.

Question 4

Characteristics of murderers

Answer 4

Bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears.

Question 5

Characteristics of sexual deviants

Answer 5

Glinting eyes, swollen/fleshy lips and projecting ears.

Question 6

Characteristics of fraudsters

Answer 6

Thin and ‘reedy’ lips

Question 7

Other characteristics of ‘born criminals’

Answer 7

Insensitivity to pain, use of criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment

Question 8

Italian convicts

Answer 8

Lombroso meticulously examined the facial and cranial features of Italian convicts, both living and dead, and proposed that the atavistic form was associated with a number of physical anomalies which were key indicators of criminality. In total, Lombroso examined the skulls of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living ones, and concluded that 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by the criminal subculture.

Question 9

Strengths of Atavistic Form

Answer 9

+ The atavistic form had an important role in the shift away from theories based on feeble-mindedness, wickedness and demonic possession. It was the forerunner to more biological explanations (that of evolutionary influences and genetics) .

Question 10

Weakness of Atavistic Form (1)

Answer 10

• Several critics have drawn attention to the distinct racist undertones in Lombroso’s work. Many of the features he described as atavistic (e.g. dark skin and curly hair) are most likely to be found in people of African descent. His claim that atavistic characteristics were uncivilised, savage and primitive supported the eugenic philosophy.

Question 11

Weakness of Atavistic Form (2)

Answer 11

Goring (1913) set out to establish if there were any physical or mental abnormalities among the criminal classes. After conducting a comparison of 3000 criminals and 3000 non-criminals he concluded that there was no evidence that offenders had particular facial and cranial characteristics. However, he did suggest that criminals are more likely to have a below average intelligence.

Question 12

Weakness of Atavistic Form (3)

Answer 12

Lombroso did not compare his criminal sample to a non-criminal control group. If he had done then the differences he reported may have disappeared.

Question 13

Weakness of Atavistic Form (4)

Answer 13

Even if criminals have atavistic characteristics this may not necessarily mean that these characteristics cause their criminal behaviour. Facial and cranial features can be influenced by poverty and poor diet , which can also lead people to commit crimes.