S02 E05 — Biological Foundations of Criminal Behavior (Roger Hopkins Burke)

Welcome to CSS Breakdown: Book by Book — Season 2. We’re exploring ‘An Introduction to Criminological Theory’ by Roger Hopkins Burke. In today’s episode — Chapter 5 — we turn our attention to the biological roots of crime and examine how biology has shaped, and sometimes distorted, our understanding of criminal behavior."

In Episode 5, we explore the Biological Foundations of Criminal Behavior, as outlined in Chapter 5 of An Introduction to Criminological Theory by Roger Hopkins Burke.

We begin with the origins of biological positivism in the Italian School, led by figures like Lombroso, Ferri, and Garofalo, who sought to identify criminal types through physical and biological traits. While controversial today, these ideas laid the groundwork for scientific inquiry into the nature of crime.

This episode covers:

• Criminal family and twin studies
• Intelligence, body type, and genetic theories
• Brain dysfunction and disorders like autism and psychosis
• Biochemical factors such as hormones, blood sugar, and substance use
• Ethical and social concerns around biological determinism in justice

We critically evaluate how far biological theories can go in explaining crime—and where they fall short in accounting for broader social, psychological, and environmental influences.

This is a vital listen for anyone preparing for the CSS exam or seeking to understand how nature and nurture intersect in the study of crime.