AO1

• Who is considered the father of criminology?

  Lombroso
• What did Lombroso suggest about criminals?

  They were ‘genetic throwbacks’, a primitive subspecies who were biologically different from non-criminals
• What is Lombroso’s theory?

  Atavism
• What is the atavistic form?

  A biological approach to offending that attribute’s criminal activity to the fact that offenders are genetic throwbacks or primitive subspecies ill-suited to conforming to the rules of modern society
• How are atavistic individuals distinguishable?

  Particular facial and cranial (skull) characteristics
• Offenders were seen by Lombroso as lacking evolutionary development, their savage and untamed nature meant that they would find it impossible to adjust to the demands of civilised society and would inevitably turn to crime
• Lombroso saw offending behaviour as a natural tendency, rooted in the genes of those who engage in it
• Why were Lombroso’s ideas revolutionary?

  He was proposing a new perspective at that time, that offending behaviour was innate and therefore an offender was not to blame for his actions
• Cranial (skull) characteristics in the atavistic form

  Narrow, sloping brow, a strong prominent jaw, high cheekbones and facial asymmetry
• Other physical markers included dark skin and the existence of extra toes, nipples or fingers
• Besides physical traits Lombroso suggested there were other aspects of born offenders including insensitivity to pain, use of slang, tattoos and unemployment
• According to Lombroso, what traits did murderers have?

  Bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears
• According to Lombroso, what characteristics did sexual deviants have?

  Glinting eyes, swollen & fleshy lips and projecting ears
• According to Lombroso, what characteristics did fraudsters have?

  Thin and ‘reedy’ lips
• What kind of research did Lombroso conduct?

  Examined the facial and cranial features of hundreds of Italian convicts, both living and dead, and conlcuded that there was an atavistic form
• In all, Lombroso examined ht skulls of 383 dead convicts and 3839 living ones, and concluded that 40 % of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics