Biological explanations: Atavistic form
An early biological explanation, proposed by Lombroso (1876), which suggested that criminals are a sub-species of
genetic throwbacks that can’t conform to the rules of modern society. Such individuals are distinguishable by
particular facial and cranial characteristics.
Atavistic characteristics (according to Lombroso): Lombroso’s research:
Criminals have: prominent jaw; high cheekbones; dark skin; extra He examined over 4000
toes, nipples and fingers. criminals and found that
Murderers have: bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears. 40% of criminals had
Sexual deviants: glinting eyes and fleshy lips. atavistic characteristics.
Besides physical traits, Lombroso suggested that there were other
aspects of the born criminal including insensitivity to pain, use of
criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment.
Strengths Weaknesses
Holistic explanation→ Lombroso did consider that criminal Poor control in Lombroso’s research→ he didn’t use a
behaviour was likely to come from an interaction between non-criminal control group to see if bis atavistic features
biological, psychological and social factor. were unique to criminals. Therefore, his results aren’t
valid.
Contribution to criminology→ Lombroso is credited with Cause and effect→ lots of Lombroso’s sample may’ve had
shifting the emphasis in crime research away from a psychological disorders or chromosomal abnormalities
moralistic discourse (offenders are wicked) towards a more which may’ve played a role in their criminal behaviour.
scientific and credible realm (that of evolutionary
influences and genetics). Lombroso’s research also
heralded the beginning of criminal profiling.
Large sample→ Lombroso’s sample was made up of over Contradictory evidence→ Goring: compared 3000
4000 criminals which makes the results more generalisable criminals and 3000 non-criminals and found that there
to the rest of Italy. are no distinct criminal facial features. However,
criminals generally had a lower IQ.
Scientific racism→ DeLisi: scientific racism is evident in
the fact that many of the atavistic features defined are
specific to people of African descent. Lombroso’s
description of the atavistic being uncivilised, primitive,
savage’ would lend support to many of the eugenic
philosophies (genetically unfit people shouldn’t breed) of
the time (Galton).
Lombroso’s research→ all of the criminals were from
Italy which shows that the findings have culture bias and
can only be generalised to Italy. His findings also lack
temporal validity.
An early biological explanation, proposed by Lombroso (1876), which suggested that criminals are a sub-species of
genetic throwbacks that can’t conform to the rules of modern society. Such individuals are distinguishable by
particular facial and cranial characteristics.
Atavistic characteristics (according to Lombroso): Lombroso’s research:
Criminals have: prominent jaw; high cheekbones; dark skin; extra He examined over 4000
toes, nipples and fingers. criminals and found that
Murderers have: bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears. 40% of criminals had
Sexual deviants: glinting eyes and fleshy lips. atavistic characteristics.
Besides physical traits, Lombroso suggested that there were other
aspects of the born criminal including insensitivity to pain, use of
criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment.
Strengths Weaknesses
Holistic explanation→ Lombroso did consider that criminal Poor control in Lombroso’s research→ he didn’t use a
behaviour was likely to come from an interaction between non-criminal control group to see if bis atavistic features
biological, psychological and social factor. were unique to criminals. Therefore, his results aren’t
valid.
Contribution to criminology→ Lombroso is credited with Cause and effect→ lots of Lombroso’s sample may’ve had
shifting the emphasis in crime research away from a psychological disorders or chromosomal abnormalities
moralistic discourse (offenders are wicked) towards a more which may’ve played a role in their criminal behaviour.
scientific and credible realm (that of evolutionary
influences and genetics). Lombroso’s research also
heralded the beginning of criminal profiling.
Large sample→ Lombroso’s sample was made up of over Contradictory evidence→ Goring: compared 3000
4000 criminals which makes the results more generalisable criminals and 3000 non-criminals and found that there
to the rest of Italy. are no distinct criminal facial features. However,
criminals generally had a lower IQ.
Scientific racism→ DeLisi: scientific racism is evident in
the fact that many of the atavistic features defined are
specific to people of African descent. Lombroso’s
description of the atavistic being uncivilised, primitive,
savage’ would lend support to many of the eugenic
philosophies (genetically unfit people shouldn’t breed) of
the time (Galton).
Lombroso’s research→ all of the criminals were from
Italy which shows that the findings have culture bias and
can only be generalised to Italy. His findings also lack
temporal validity.
