ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the foundations of biocriminology, and discusses the advances in genetics and neuroscience which have eclipsed the older versions of the criminal and criminality. While some psychological and biological ideas remained in the backdrop of the field of criminology, there were no longer many who championed the biological approach. Many contemporary theorists also believe that some combination of biological and environmental factors influences behavior. In the early years, when biology was largely viewed as the end-all be-all of criminal behavior, the policy implication is quite clear –society must prevent criminals from breeding and interacting with the public. The most famous and influential biocriminologist was Cesare Lombroso who has been named the “father of criminology” because of his systematic and scientific study of the criminal. However, Lombroso built upon the work of older theorists and theories as much as others then built upon his ideas.
