Born criminals

Born Criminals: Exploring the Origins, Science, and Controversy Behind Criminal Behavior

by
Illustration of Cesare Lombroso, the founder of the born criminals theory, presenting his early criminological ideas.

Introduction The term “born criminals” refers to individuals who are presumed to possess innate tendencies toward criminal behavior, attributed to biological or hereditary factors. This idea has generated intense debate in criminological thought, with its roots stretching back to the 19th century. Often associated with the Italian criminologist Cesare Lombroso, the theory of born criminals … Read more

Cesare Lombroso: The Father of Modern Criminology

by
Scientific contributions of Cesare Lombroso

Cesare Lombroso, often hailed as the “Father of Modern Criminology,” revolutionized the study of crime by introducing a scientific approach to understanding criminal behavior. Prior to Lombroso, criminology was largely influenced by moralistic and philosophical perspectives, with little emphasis on empirical evidence. Lombroso’s groundbreaking theories, particularly his concept of the “born criminal,” laid the foundation … Read more