Atavistic form

• Lombroso suggested that criminals were genetic throwbacks, who were biologically different to non criminals
• Atavism - an evolutionary throwback, such as traits reappearing which had disappeared generations before
• Lombroso investigated the facial and cranial features of Italian convicts both living and dead. After examining the skulls of 3839 living criminals and 383 dead criminals, it was found that 40 % of the criminals had atavistic characteristics
• Lombroso believed offenders were lacking in evolutionary development, their savage and untamed nature meant they could not adjust to the demands of civilised society, inevitably turning to crime
• Lombroso believed criminals had:

  Strong, protruding jaws

  High cheek bones

  Large sloping foreheads

  Dark skin

  Extra toes nipples or fingers
• Lombroso believed murderers had:

  blood shot eyes

  curly hair

  long ears
• Lombroso identified three types of criminals:

  Born criminals

  Insane criminals

  Criminaloids
• Lombroso Born criminals - atavistic type, throwbacks identifiable from their physical characteristics
• Lombroso Insane criminals - suffering from mental illness
• Criminaloids - a large general class of offenders whose mental characteristics predisposed them to criminal behaviour under the right circumstances