The nature of the inquiry. Professor Lombroso and the postulate of
the 'Positive' School. The Lombrosian doctrine founded upon observation
alone. The science of statistics: 'Normal' and 'abnormal'
man. The 'criminal diathesis:' The biometric method of Professor
Karl Pearson. Anthropometry and the existence of a criminal type.
Comparison of statistics of criminals and non-criminal public. Dr.
Goring's conclusion that there is no physical criminal type. 'Selective'
factors and the physique of criminals. No 'mental criminal type.'
Statistics of mental defectiveness. Defective physique and defective
intelligence in selection of criminals. Heredity and other environmental
factors. The relation between education and crime. Alcoholism.
Conclusions as to the causes of crime. The criminal a "defective"
man. His inability to live up to required social standard. The need
for individualization of punishment. The Mental Deficiency Act, 1913.