historical approach

• historical approach

  1876

  Lombroso suggested that criminals 'genetic throwbacks' - an early subspecies who were biologically different from non criminals
• biological approach

  Lombroso - offenders were seen as lacking evolutionary development and they would find it impossible to adjust to the demands of civilised society
• what is offending behaviour in terms of the biological approach

  offending behaviour is innate

  rooted in the genes of those that engage in it
• atavistic form

  a biological approach to offending that links criminal activity to the fact that criminals are genetic throwbacks

  such individuals are seen to be criminal by particular facial and criminal characteristics
• atavistic characteristics

  Lombroso

  prominent jaw, high cheekbones and facial symmetry, dark skin, extra toes or nipples

  insensitivity to pain, use of slang, tattoos and unemployment
• lombroso's research

  examined the facial and cranial features of Italian convicts

  383 dead 3839 living
• lombroso's findings from his research

  concluded that 40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics
• strength of Lombroso's theory

  his work has changed the face of the study of crime

  his work shifted the emphasis of crime research away from a moralistic stance towards a more scientific position
• limitation of lombroso's research

  the methods of investigation that were used were poorly controlled

  he failed to control important variables within his research

  his research does not meet modern scientific standards