The security rational of free choice and individual responsibility based on the classical school of criminology is a contrast to early biological theories of crime, as that of Cesare Lombroso. Lombroso’s anthropoligical theory which emerge in the early 20th century explains criminal behavior as a biological determinant of crime. Criminal behavior is pathological, that is the existence of “born criminals”, whose deviant behavior are inevitable and biologically predetermined negating any notion of free will or moral choice.

Born criminals represent an early criminal anthropology, more primitive trait, associated with immorality and instinct-driven behavior. Some of these traits include but are not limited to: intense pain, crooked language and vanity as most organize crime leaders. Schneider (2014, p. 322) two key points analysing of Lombroso’s anthropological theory:

-The criminal is an atavism-a degeneration to a primitive, subhuman type.Criminals are seen as modern ‘savage’, regressing physical and mentally to earlier stages of human history.

-Crime is inherited; it arises from a criminal predisposition.

Cesare Lombroso’s anthropological theory is still relevant in the 21st century, in cases relating to terrorism, violent radicalization and extremism, jihadist tendencies and drug cartels. For example, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, who succeeded his father Jaoquin Guzman Loera, also known as ‘El Chapo’, as leader of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, confirms the biological determinant of crime. According to U.S Attorney General Pamela Bondi, the ‘Sinaloa Cartel’ is a terrorist organization that has spent decades destroying America families through brutal violence and deadly drug trafficking.

Moreover, Joaquin Guzman Lopez led the ‘Los Chapitos’ faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, rated amongst the world most notorious drug trafficking organization with agenda to flood the United States with deadly fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Guzman Lopez’s siblings: Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, and Ovidio Guzman Lopez were charge for drug trafficking in U.S in the North District of Illinois and South District of New York respectively.

Furthermore, Lombroso’s approach is critical for policy advocacy, as criminal law must consider empirical and medical research in order to achieve justice, thereby negating the classical notion of free will as unrealistic norm. Inadequate sanction and deterrence for born criminals, biologically determined in their behavior was a major challenge in terms of protecting society from inherently dangerous individuals.

In 2017, the U.S added Hamza Bin Laden ti its counter terrorism blacklist. Hamza’z case strenghtens Lombroso’s theory and notion of born criminals. The latter was the son of al Qeada’s leader Osama Bin Laden, the brain behind the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. According to the U.S State Department, document obtained during a raid on Osama Bin Laden’s house in Abbottabad, in Pakistan’s Northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, suggest that Hamza was being groomed for al Qeada’s leadership.

Several debates have emerge in regards to the relevance of Lombroso’s theory in the 21st century. However, the theory is essential and applicable across the world, though sanctions may differ according to born criminals and gangs threatening national security. The theory is still applicable and relevant in counter terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism, organized crime and crack-down of born criminals leading cartels and terrorists organizations even in West Africa. The notion of ‘incorrigibe’ criminals is sufficient to justify counter terrorism operations across the world.

Read

Lombroso, C. (2006). Criminal Man (trans. Mary Gibson & Nicole Hahn Rafter). Durham & London: Duke University Press.

Lomroso’s criminal anthropology by Christian Wickert. https://soztheo.com/theories-of-crime/biological-theories-of-crime/lombrosos-anthropological-anthropogenetic-crime-theory/

Joaquin Guzman Lopez-son of ‘El Chapo’ and a leader of Sinaloa Cartel-pleads guilty to federal drug charges in Chicago. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/joaquin-guzman-lopez-son-el-chapo-and-leader-sinaloa-cartel-pleads-guilty-federal-drug

White House confirms Osama bin Laden’s son killed in U.S operation. https://www.aljazera.com/news/2019/9/14/white-house-confirms-osama-bin-ladens-son-killed-in-us-operation