Atavistic form

• The main person associated with this theory is Lombroso
• Lombroso proposed that criminals were 'genetic throwbacks'- a primitive sub-species who were biologically different from non-criminals. This is the 'atavistic form'
• Lombroso's theory of the atavistic form, though now discredited, laid the foundation for modern offender profiling
• Offenders were seen by Lombroso as lacking evolutionary development. Their savage and untamed nature meant that they would find it impossible to adjust to civilised society and would inevitably turn to crime
• Therefore, Lombroso saw criminal behaviour as an innate tendency and thus was proposing a new perspective (for his time) that the criminal was not at fault. In this way his ideas were revolutionary
• Lombroso argued that the criminal sub-type could be identified as being in possession of physiological 'markers'- these atavistic characteristics are biologically determined. They are mainly features of the head and face that make criminals physically different from the rest of us
• In terms of characteristics of the skull (cranium), the atavistic form included:

  • a narrow, sloping brow
  • a strong prominent jaw
  • high cheekbones
  • facial asymmetry
• Other physical features of criminals included dark skin and existence of extra toes, nipple or fingers
• Besides physical traits, Lombroso suggested there were other aspects of the atavistic form including insensitivity to pain, use of criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment
• Lombroso also suggested that particular physiological 'markers' were linked to particular types of crime. For example, murderers were described as having bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears. Sexual deviants were described as having glinting eyes with swollen and fleshy lips
• What were murderers described as having?

  Bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears
• What were sexual deviants described as having?

  glinting eyes with swollen and fleshy lips
• Lombroso's research:

  Examined the facial and cranial features of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living ones. From this research he proposed the atavistic form.

  He concluded that 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by people with atavistic characteristics
• Limitation: racial undertones

  Many of the features that Lombroso identifies as criminal and atavistic, such as curly hair and dark skin, are most likely to be found among people of African descent. Similarly, his description of the atavistic forms being as 'uncivilised, primitive, savage' would lend support to the eugenic philosophies of the time (i.e. that certain groups should not be allowed to breed). Lombroso's intention is unclear, but there is little doubt that these racial undertones are an uncomfortable and controversial legacy which overshadows his work
• Strength: contribution to criminology

  Lombroso has been hailed as the 'father of modern criminology' and credited as shifting emphasis ins research away from moralistic (e.g. 'weak-minded') discourse to scientific discourse (e.g. evolution and genetics). Also, in trying to describe how particular types of people are likely to commit particular types of crime. Lombroso's theory heralded the beginning of criminal profiling. In this way he made a major contribution to the science of criminology
• Limitation: contradictory evidence for atavistic form

  Goring compared 3000 criminals and 3000 non-criminals and concluded there was no evidence that offenders are a distinct groups with unusual physical characteristics. But he did suggest that many people who commit crime have a lower-than-average IQ- this offers some limited support for the idea of a criminal sub-species. However, this evidence doesn't question the key element of his theory that criminals are different in terms of their appearance.
• Limitation: causation is a problem

  Even if there are criminals who have atavistic elements in their facial appearance, this doesn't necessarily mean this is the cause of their offending. Facial and cranial differences may be influenced by other factors (e.g. poverty or poor diet) rather than being an indication of delayed evolutionary development. Although, in fairness to Lombroso, in his later work he acknowledged that criminals could be made as well as born