18th Century Criminology

Criminology was an area in research which had its origins in Europe during the late 1700’s. This research could be found in the writings of several innovators such as: philosophers, physicians, physical scientists, sociologists and social scientists. A great deal of these early theories was to a great extent redacted and for the most part had been abandoned by modern-day American criminology until recently. Criminology today has blended together with criminal law of the 18th century.

In order of major works in theories we find the first to be Becarria’s essay On Crimes and Punishment which was originally published in 1764. It was of central importance on European and Anglo American law. Becarria’s focus was to rectify the brutal, unnecessary nature of punishment. Becarria believed that there was no sense in penalizing a law offender with unfair practices of law.

Guerry’s approach was to draw maps and relied entirely upon shaded off regions of mappings in order to distinguish and examine fluctuation in crime statistics. Guerry’s resolve was that the higher ranges of crime were due to opportunity. Guerry was also attributed with being an innovator in comparative crime statistics.

Quetelet was the first to make the best use of the criminal statistics that were beginning to become available during the 1800’s. Quetelet was the original scientific criminologist utilizing an approach to his content that is similar to that of modern criminalists, and he is the father of modern sociological and psychological statistics.

Lombroso was the most important figure in biological positivism. Lombroso’s ideology was highly shaped by Darwin’s Theory of Evolution which is looked at as a biological theory. It includes concepts such as evolution, natural selection and human inherited connection to a barbaric past.