Bio exp: Atavistic form

• Who devised Atavistic form as a biological explanation for offending?

  Lombroso
• What does atavistic form suggest?

  Offenders are a primitive sub-species ill-suited to conforming to the rules of modern society. They can be distinguished by facial and cranial characteristics
• What are the cranial atavistic characteristics?

  • Narrow sloping brow
  • Strong prominent jaw
  • High cheekbones
  • Facial asymmetry
• What are the physical atavistic characteristics?

  • Bloodshot eyes, curly hair, long ears, swollen fleshy lips (sexual deviants)
  • Glinting eyes, thin lips (Fraudsters)
  • Other aspects such as insensitivity to pain, unemployment
• What was Lombroso's research?

  Examined the facial and cranial features of hundreds of Italian convicts, alive and dead.

  He examined 383 skulls of dead criminals and 3839 living ones.

  FINDINGS: 40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characters