Italian school[edit]

Cesare Lombroso was an Italian Sociologist working in the late 19th century who is sometimes
regarded as the father of criminology. He was one of the largest contributors to biological positivism
and was founder of the Italian school of criminology.
[5]
Lombroso took a scientific approach, insisting
on empirical evidence, for studying crime.
[6]
Considered as the founder of criminal anthropology he
suggested that physiological traits such as the measurements of one's cheek bones or hairline, or a
cleft palate, considered to be throwbacks to Neanderthal man, were indicative of "atavistic" criminal
tendencies. This approach, influenced by the earlier theory of phrenology and by Charles
Darwin and his theory of evolution, has been superseded. Enrico Ferri, a student of Lombroso,
believed that social as well as biological factors played a role, and held the view that criminals
should not be held responsible when factors causing their criminality were beyond their control.
Criminologists have since rejected Lombroso's biological theories, with control groups not used in his
studies.
[7]