Crim Lombroso physiological

• Lombroso identified that criminality was heritable. You have an innate predisposition to crime, the shape of your head determined if you were “born criminal”
• He used physiognomy to determine who would be criminal. The way you look determines how you will behave.
• Criminals have distinct physical characteristics. Lombroso argued these were a separate species between modern and primitive humans.
• Criminals have atavistic features which are throwback characteristics from an early stage of human development. They manifest a tendency to commit crimes. EG sloping forehead.
• Garland argued Lombroso gave criminology scientific credibility (1)
• Lombroso one of the first to use scientific methods (1)
• Today nuero-criminology draws on some of lombrosos theories. For example whether brain injuries or genetic abnormalities can lead to criminality (1)
• Recent studies found genetic origin for crime, MAOA gene, supporting his earlier ideas (1)
• Lombroso finding have been difficult to replicate (2)
• This casts doubt on the reliability. (2)
• For example GORING made a study of the physical features of 1000+ english prisoners. He found no distinctive features that Lombroso notes. (2)
• Modern research also finds no link in the majority of Lombrosos claims. It may be more likely this was a coincidence.
• Lombroso theory also have ethical implications (3)
• If we could identify criminals by physical characteristics, that would mean we could prosecute them before they even commit the offence. (3)
• His research can also be used to discriminate, “scientific racism”. There are distinct racial undertones within his work, such as the curly hair and dark skin being features of a criminal. (3)
• Not all criminals have abnormalities and not all people with abnormalities are criminal. This leads to wrongly stereotyping individuals. (3)