Explanations for offending behaviour: atavistic form
Historical approach to offending
Lombroso was an Italian physician who wrote a book in 1876, in which he suggested that
criminals were a primitive sub-species who were biologically different. Therefore, he saw
criminal behaviour as a natural tendency, rooted in some people’s genes. His theory would be
described as speculative and naïve by todays standards, but he was more scientific in his
approach towards criminology and his ideas may have been a basis for modern offender
profiling techniques.
Atavistic characteristics
Atavistic characteristics are physical features that Lombroso believed make criminals
physically different from other people. Cranial characteristics included:
- A narrow, sloping brow
- Strong prominent jaw
- High cheekbones
- Facial asymmetry
Other characteristics included dark skin and extra toes, nipples or fingers. Lombroso then
went on to categories particular characteristics to specific types of criminal.
He also suggested born criminals had other aspects such as insensitivity to pain, use of
criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment.
AO3 research support
Lombroso’s research
He examined the facial and cranial characteristics of hundreds of Italian convicts, living and
dead, proposing the atavistic form being indicators of criminality.
He examined 383 dead skulls and 3839 living ones, concluding 40% of criminal acts are not
accounted for by atavistic characteristics, but by people with atavistic characteristics.
Contradictory evidence
Goring (1913)
He compared 3000 criminals with 3000 non-criminals and said there was no evidence of
unusual facial/cranial characteristics in offenders.
He did suggest many criminals have lower IQ though.
Bibliography
Historical approach to offending
Lombroso was an Italian physician who wrote a book in 1876, in which he suggested that
criminals were a primitive sub-species who were biologically different. Therefore, he saw
criminal behaviour as a natural tendency, rooted in some people’s genes. His theory would be
described as speculative and naïve by todays standards, but he was more scientific in his
approach towards criminology and his ideas may have been a basis for modern offender
profiling techniques.
Atavistic characteristics
Atavistic characteristics are physical features that Lombroso believed make criminals
physically different from other people. Cranial characteristics included:
- A narrow, sloping brow
- Strong prominent jaw
- High cheekbones
- Facial asymmetry
Other characteristics included dark skin and extra toes, nipples or fingers. Lombroso then
went on to categories particular characteristics to specific types of criminal.
He also suggested born criminals had other aspects such as insensitivity to pain, use of
criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment.
AO3 research support
Lombroso’s research
He examined the facial and cranial characteristics of hundreds of Italian convicts, living and
dead, proposing the atavistic form being indicators of criminality.
He examined 383 dead skulls and 3839 living ones, concluding 40% of criminal acts are not
accounted for by atavistic characteristics, but by people with atavistic characteristics.
Contradictory evidence
Goring (1913)
He compared 3000 criminals with 3000 non-criminals and said there was no evidence of
unusual facial/cranial characteristics in offenders.
He did suggest many criminals have lower IQ though.
Bibliography
