Cesare Lombroso and His Contributions to Criminology

Background

• Born: 1835 in Verona, Italy
• Profession: Italian doctor
• Fields of Study: Mental diseases, corpse studies, brain pathology
• Notable Work: Author of "The Criminal Man" (1876)

Theory of Criminal Anthropology

• Explanation for why people commit crimes
• Distinction between offenders and non-offenders
• Born Criminals: People with physical characteristics, termed as atavistic characteristics

Atavistic Characteristics

• Derived from the Latin word "avatus" meaning ancestors
• Offenders viewed as evolutionary throwbacks to primitive humans
• Characteristics include asymmetric face, large jaw, long arms, epilepsy

Research Methodology

• Conducted detailed studies on human bodies
• Measured physical characteristics: height, arm span, body height while seated, hand size, etc.
• Examined both living individuals and performed autopsies
• Subjects included offenders, non-offenders, and mentally ill people

Findings and Evolution of Thought

• Offenders seen as different types of humans
• Initial focus on physical characteristics to distinguish born offenders
• Later included factors like poverty, alcohol, gangs

Positivist School of Criminology

• Lombroso as the father of modern criminology
• Used measurements to find evidence for causes of criminal behavior
• Part of the Italian school of criminology

Rejection of Free Will

• Did not support the concept of free will
• Influenced by Darwin’s evolutionary theory and emerging sociology

Criticism and Legacy

• Criticized for misinterpretation and lack of critical examination
• Findings considered flawed and biased
• Atavism theory widely abandoned
• Influence on ideas regarding biological causes of criminal behavior

Modern Relevance

• Ideas about genes and brain structure related to criminal behavior are gaining interest
• Lombroso remains a controversial figure in criminology

Additional Information

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