PATHOLOGY
The Anatomy of Evil
Charles Buckman Gooring was a pioneer of
Criminology born in January
31,1870,Penge,London,United Kingdom . He
was a prison Doctor,worked for scientific study
of Crime,He opposed idea of Born Criminal and
challenged Cessare Lombroso( a prominent
criminologist)
His belief was criminal dont born with distinct
physical traits but can be identified through
mental inferiority and intelligence
📚Historical Context of Goring’s 🧠 Main Perspective
Theory
1. Concentrated on finding the root causes of criminal behavior through
1. Charles Goring presented his theory in 1913, in early 20th-century England. scientific research and statistics.
2. His belief was criminality cannot be identified by outlook or body structure.
2. 2. This was a time when criminology was emerging scientific.
3. Discarded idea of “born criminal.”
3. 3. The main idea before him was Cesare Lombroso’s theory of “born criminals.” 4. Argued that crime is linked to mental and moral deficiencies, not physical
traits.
4. 4. Lombroso linked crime to physical appearance. 5. Claimed that these deficiencies—such as low intelligence or mental instability
—may be hereditary.
5. 5. Goring rejected this and looked for deeper mental and hereditary causes.
6. Judged criminal behavior as influenced by biological and psychological
factors, rather than purely environmental ones.
⚖️Criticisms of Charles Goring’s Relevance
Buckman Goring Today…
1. Focused too heavily on heredity as the main cause of crime.
2. Ignored social and environmental factors such as poverty, education, and 1. Crime ≠ inherited- Result of physical, mental & social factors
family background.
3. His research was mostly based on male English prisoners, making it less 2. Mind & body matter- Environment shapes behavior
applicable to other groups.
3. Rehabilitation & mental health -Modern crime prevention approach
4. Used obsolete and biased intelligence tests, leading to arguable
results. 4. Genes ≠ full explanation -Avoids simplistic thinking
5. Reflected early eugenic thoughts, suggesting some people are naturally 5. Education & equality -Strong communities prevent crime
“inferior.”
6. He did't explain human rational choice or free will in criminal behavior. 6. Fair law & research- Ethical policies & enforcement
7. His theory overlooked economic, cultural, and situational influences on 7. Science + human insight -Guides criminology & policy
crime.
Can crime of Jeffery Dahmer
be explained with Gooring’s
Jeffrey Dahmer (1960–1994) was an American perspective ?
serial killer and sex offender responsible for the
murders of 17 young men and boys between
1978 and 1991. His crimes were especially
disturbing because they involved necrophilia,
cannibalism, and preserving body parts
Facts about Jeffery Dahmer
Jeffrey was a quiet and lonely boy. Jeffrey Dahmer’s Case through Goring’s Theory
He felt invisible to everyone.
• Goring (1913) said crime comes from inborn mental and moral defects.
His home had no love or peace.
• He rejected the idea that looks or environment cause crime.
His mother was mentally ill, and his father was never close.
He felt calm when he collected dead animals. Dahmer’s life supports this theory.
It gave him a sense of control. When he grew up, he felt empty
and alone.
. • His mother had depression, and his father was emotionally distant.
He started drinking to hide the pain. This shows hereditary mental weakness.
His first murder victim was 18 years old steven Hicks in 1978. • From childhood, he showed loneliness and interest in death.
He wanted someone to stay forever. He kept body parts to feel
close to his victims. • As an adult, he lost all moral sense.
These dark acts made him feel strong, but showed his moral • He killed for control, not anger or gain.
defects. On 22nd july,1991 at night, Tracy Edwards (Dahmers
last victim) escaped and called the police and that's how he got
caught. His normal appearance fits Goring’s rejection of Lombroso.
From 1978 to 1991 he killed 17 young and middle aged men. • Dahmer’s family issues and mindset prove crime can come from inner mental
The court said he knew right and wrong, but his mind was sick.
He was sentenced life prisonment. He was later killed by his deffects
own prison mate Christopher Scarver on 28th November 1998.
