Atavistic form / historical approach

• what is the atavistic form? Cesare Lombroso suggested that criminals are a form of sub-species who are biological different from non-criminals. These criminals have physical distinguishing features. These characteristics suggest that offenders lack evolutionary development. Criminal behaviour is a natural tendency rooted in their genealogy. He argued that sub-types can be identified as possessing physiological “markers” linked to different crimes. Criminals aren’t to blame for their criminal activities, as their behaviour is determined by their physiology.
• Lombroso‘s research

  he medically examined the facial and cranial features of 100’s of Italian convicts (living and dead). He developed 2 sets of characteristics.
• what are the atavistic characteristics?

  narrow, sloping brow + strong, prominent jaw + high cheekbones + facial asymmetry
• what are the criminal type characteristics?

  murderers: bloodshot eyes, long ears, curly hair. Sexual deviants: glinting eyes, fleshy lips, projecting ears. Fraudsters: thin and reedy lips
• what is the Eugenics Movement?

  the work of Francis Galton is thought to be the beginning of the Eugenics Movement. Not all people are born equal, desirable traits are found in some socio-cultural groups more than others. Groups with the traits should be allowed to breed for the good of society. Those without should be eliminated.
• the positive of atavistic form?

  shifts the emphasis in crime away from a moralistic discourse, and towards a more scientific and credible realm.
• the negative of the ativistic form?

  Lombroso’s work has racist undertones. Many criminal features identified are consistent with those of African decent. Therefore, this supports Eugenic Philosophies of the time.