ALÉM DAS MARCAS: UMA ANÁLISE CRÍTICA DAS TEORIAS DE CESARE LOMBROSO SOBRE AS CARACTERÍSTICAS FÍSICAS E SUA RELEVÂNCIA NA CRIMINOLOGIA CONTEMPORÂNEA

This scientific article investigates the evolution and contemporary relevance of Cesare Lombroso's theories, with emphasis on his proposals on the relationship between physical characteristics and criminal behavior. The theory of the born criminal, proposed by Lombroso, which suggests that certain physical characteristics could indicate an innate predisposition to criminal behavior, is critically examined. The objective is to evaluate the validity of these ideas, exploring whether there is a significant correlation between physical characteristics and propensity for crime, as suggested by Lombroso. To this end, historical materials on Lombroso and his criminological school were reviewed, as well as contemporary studies on the influence of biological factors on criminal behavior. The methodology included a critical analysis of academic and historical literature. The results indicate that while Lombroso's ideas were pioneering, they have been widely discredited due to their biological determinism and the lack of conclusive evidence linking specific physical characteristics to criminal behavior. The discussion underscores the importance of understanding the historical impact of these theories and the advancement of criminology towards a more balanced approach, considering both genetic and environmental factors. In conclusion, the work emphasizes the need for a critical analysis of Lombroso's theories and suggests that current criminology should integrate a more holistic and scientific perspective on the causality of criminal behavior.