Atavistic Form

• what is the biological approach in forensic psychology?

  • Lombroso wrote criminal man, suggesting criminals were genetic throwbacks, a primitive subspecies who were biologically different from non-criminals
  • criminals less developed in evolutionary sense
  • offenders more primitive and therefore not completely responsible for their criminal action
  • savage, untamed nature means they find it impossible to adjust to demands of civilised society and would inevitably turn to crime
  • offending a natural tendency rooted in genes
• what is atavistic form?

  • an early biological explanation which proposed that criminals are a sub-species of genetic throwbacks that cannot conform to the rules of modern society
  • such individuals are distinguishable by particular facial and cranial characteristics
• what is the aim of Lombroso 1876?

  • To identify distinguishing physical features among criminals, which set them apart as offenders based on biological principles​
• what is the method of Lombroso 1876?

  • Lombroso examined the features and measurements of nearly 4,000 criminals, as well as the skulls of nearly 400 dead criminals
• what are some common cranial characteristics that Lombroso found?

  • narrow sloping brow - indicated low intelligence according to Lombroso
  • strong pronounced jaw
  • flattened, upturned or hawk-like nose
  • large chins
  • high cheekbones
  • facial asymmetry
• what are some common physical characteristics found by Lombroso?

  • dark skin - reflective of racism at the time
  • large ears
  • extra nipple, toes and fingers
• what did Lombroso categories as murderers features?

  • blood-shot eyes
  • curly hair
  • long ears
• what did Lombroso conclude?

  40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics