Atavistic Form

• •The biological approach suggests that crime is an innate tendency which may be genetically determined or the result of abnormalities in brain structure or function.
• –Atavistic form (historical approach)–Genetic–Neural•
• Lombrosco

  A biological approach to offending that assumed the innate physiological make-up (genes) of the person caused them to become a criminal
• Lombrosco's view of offenders

  • They are 'genetic throwbacks' or 'primitive sub-species' who are biologically different from non-criminals
  • They lack evolutionary development - their savage and untamed nature meant they would find it impossible to adjust to the demands of civilised society and would inevitably turn to crime
  • They are distinguishable by particular facial features and cranial characteristics
• Lombroso argued that criminals could be identified by particular facial, cranial and bodily characteristics as well as other characteristics which are all biologically determined
• Atavistic Characteristics

  –Facial and cranial features – narrow, sloping brow, strong prominent jaw, high cheekbones and facial asymmetry.–Bodily features – dark skin, extra toes, nipples or fingers.–Other characteristics – insensitivity to pain, use of slang, tattoos and unemployment.
• •Lombroso even categorised particular types of criminal in terms of their physical and facial characteristics:

  –Murderers: bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears–Sexual deviants: Glinting eyes, Swollen, fleshy lips–Fraudsters: Thin and reedy lips
• Eval#

  Several critics have drawn attention to the distinct racial undertones within Lombroso’s work. Many of the features identified by Lombroso as atavistic and criminal, such as curly hair and dark skin, are most likely to be found among people of African descent. Similarly, his description of the atavistic as uncivilised, primitive and savage would lend support to the eugenic philosophies at the time.

  WEAKNESS
• Eval-Male Dominated

  •In 1893, Lombroso set out his ideas about female criminality. He believed that women were less evolved than men. They were naturally jealous and insensitive to pain, but they were also passive, low in intelligence and had a maternal instinct – all of which neutralised their negative traits and meant they were less likely to become criminals. Those women who did become criminals had masculine characteristics that were beneficial in a man but in a woman created a ‘monster.’
• Research Evidence

  •Goring (1913) compared 3000 criminals and 3000 non-criminals and concluded that there was no evidence that are offenders are a distinct group with unusual facial and cranial characteristics, but many criminals did tend to have lower intelligence.
• Shifting The Emphasis In Crime Research

  •Lombroso is credited as shifting the emphasis in crime research away from moralistic discourse (where offenders were judged as being wicked and weak-minded) towards a more scientific and credible realm (that of evolutionary influences and genetics).
• Questionable Methods

  •Lombroso did not compare his criminal sample with a control group. If Lombroso had done this, his significant differences may have disappeared. He also failed to take into account other important variables which may have confounded the results e.g. history of psychological disorders.
• Too Simplistic

  •Even if there are criminals who do have some of the atavistic elements in their facial features, this does not necessarily mean this is the cause of their offending. Facial and cranial differences may be influenced by other factors, such as poverty or poor diet, rather than being an indication of delayed evolutionary development.