Biological Theory of Crime
Biological theories of crime are widely associated with Cesare Lombroso, one of the founding fathers in the discipline of criminology. In his works in the Criminal Man, Lombroso applied the Darwinian evolutionary theory to ascertain the factors that lead individuals into committing crime (Lombroso, 2006). Biological theories of crime focus on seeing crime as caused by forms of illness or genes among several individuals. Genes or physical attributes passed from a criminal generation increases the risk of a juvenile engaging in criminal activities. For this reason, this theory generally believes that individuals are born being criminals. Some offenders have mental illness which is the reason for their criminal behavior. Mental defects can be caused at birth or are innate (born with) traits. Several key statistics put forward by Lombroso can be used to identify criminals (Lombroso, 2006). First, the criminals belong to a specific hereditary “born’ group who are identifiable based on certain abnormalities in their physical attributes such as uneven face, flattened nose, crispy hair, among others. Third, such individuals cannot refrain from criminal activities unless they are placed under strict surveillance. Lastly, Lombroso argued that not all criminals can be identified from the look of their physical attributes but it is possible to identify these criminals based on the type of crimes they commit.
A real world example of the theory in motion
Many researchers have used Lombroso’s theory as the basis for studying the nature of criminal activities. Studies conducted in a UK prison by Goring Charles found that some physical attributes such as body weight and inferiority in physical stature was common among many criminals. Equally, recent criminal studies based on the biological theory of crime examine particular aspects of the central nervous system, hormones, and autonomic nervous system. For instance, individuals with low levels of particular types of neurotransmitters have an increased likelihood of engaging in criminal activities. Speaking of hormones, particular individuals tend to react in an aggressive manner when they release a certain type of hormones into their system. On issues to do with the autonomic nervous system, inconsistent responses in the “flight or fight” response can cause certain persons to commit criminal acts. Other applications of the biological theory in identifying criminals includes the study of body patterns and drawings such as tattoos or certain signs. Particular gangs use such marks for easy identification.
Strengths and weaknesses of the theory
There is no doubt that each theory has its own strengths and shortcomings despite the existent of different possibilities associated with the explanation of criminal activities. To begin with the strengths of this theory, the theory enables criminal investigators to identify criminals in addition to identifying the causative factors that contribute to criminal acts. Based on genetic research, crime appears to be inherited. Research is getting closer to identifying a gene that can be attributed to criminal behavior. The theory also expands on findings from other schools of criminal by striking a balance between the precipitating factors and predisposing factors as they relate to the study of criminology. Equally, Lombroso’s methods coupled with other recent studies based on the biological theory provided implications for future criminal research such as the application of particular aspects of the central nervous system, hormones, and autonomic nervous system.
Speaking of the shortcomings of the biological theory, Lombroso’s findings were disapproved in many European regions. First, opponents of the biological theory argued that Lombroso’s study failed to conduct rigorous studies aimed at comparing criminals and non-criminals. Other studies conducted to prove the applicability of physical features such as the shape of the skull found no significant differences. Additionally, physical features such as long arms or big ears do not cause criminal behavior. Other studies also argue that Lombroso neglected the sociological causes of crime.
References
Lombroso, C. (2006). Criminal Man (Eds). Duke University Press
