NCJ Number
12397
Date Published
1972
Length
361 pages
Annotation
REPRINT EDITION OF LOMBROSO'S THEORIES OF THE CRIMINAL MAN, THE 'BORN CRIMINAL' WHO CAN BE DETECTED ON THE BASIS OF PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Abstract
IN THE INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUME, LOMBROSO RECALLS THAT THE FIRST OUTLINES OF HIS SCIENCE AROSE AS A RESULT OF HIS EXPERIMENTAL ANTHROPOMETRIC STUDIES OF PSYCHIATRY IN 1866. THIS VOLUME, COMPARED TO HIS FIRST EDITION, IS A FAR LESS DETAILED SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH THAT FORMED THE BASIS OF THE POSITIVIST SCHOOL. AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL PRINTING IN 1911, THE BORN CRIMINAL WAS SAID TO REPRESENT ONLY ONE-THIRD OF ALL CRIMINALS. THE BORN CRIMINAL WAS FOUND TO HAVE PECULIAR SENSORY RESPONSES, INCLUDING DIMINISHED SENSIBILITY TO PAIN, A CHARACTERISTIC OF PRIMITIVES AND CHILDREN. HE LACKED NATURAL AFFECTION TOWARDS RELATIVES (WHILE BEING ABNORMALLY FOND OF ANIMALS), WAS UNABLE TO DIFFERENTIATE RIGHT FROM WRONG, AND WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY LACKING IN REMORSE. AT THE END OF HIS LIFE, LOMBROSO CONCLUDED THAT THE BORN CRIMINAL WAS A SPECIAL TYPE OF EPILEPTIC. LOMBROSO FOCUSED ON THIS BORN CRIMINAL, HIS RELATION TO MORAL INSANITY, AND THE LIGHT THIS RESEARCH SHED ON THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE PUNISHMENT OF CRIMINALS. HE REVIEWED HIS METHODS OF RESEARCH AND GAVE EXAMPLES OF ITS APPLICATION.