The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1885-11-07
CRIMINALS.
Natural Peculiarities of European MUIR
derers and Thieves.


derers and Thieves.
Recently in France considerable at
tention has been paid to an examine
ton of the criminal class with reference
to its physical and associated charac-
teristics. M. Lacassague has drawn
attention to the frequency of tattooing
among criminals and the violent nature
of the scenes depicted by them in this
voluntary mutilation. The same writer
has pointed out that criminals, as class,
are tall. Thus in 800 subjects exam
ined by him 623 were taller by six cent?
meters than the average, and some ex.
coed the normal height by ten and
twenty centimeters. These observa-
tons were corroborated by NJ. Ferri, ir
Italy.
In 1922 DR.. Manouvrierr remarked that
among criminals, Eotoriously with muir
derers, the jaw is more developed than
is usual; and that while the cranio-
mandibular index normally varies be-
tween 1913 and Is, among the convicts
it attains the remarkable number Of
AZ. MN. Hager and Dallemagne, in
Al COUlDdIillhG
sassins and ordinary persons. have con-
firmed the statement that the forward
projection of the skull is greater among
the former. They have also shown
that criminals have larger facial in
dex and smaller vertical index than
the peaceahle citizens, but no difference
is observed in the cephalic index.
NJ. Hager has affirmed the larger
capacity of the criminal skull over that
of the usual type, the relative proper
tons being as 1883 is to l, 400. This,
however, has been contradicted by a
number of observers who claim the re-
verse, but it is suggested that it may be
explained by supposing that the former
examined the crania of murderers
only, while in the latter studies those of
all classes were included, among which
the incendiaries are said to have small
heads. Mr.. Flesch has said that affec-
tons of the heart exist among GRIM
inais to the extent of twenty per cent;
the persistence of Botal's orifice, ten
per cent; contradiction of the vascular
system, five and one-half per cent. But
his researches upon cerebral LESSONS are
much more important
He has demonstrated a certain atav-
ism in the cerebral CONCLUSIONS, al
ready indicated by Benedict, as, for in
stance, the medium lobe of the brain
being shaped as among the mammals,
the separation of the eulcarian assure
from the cccipital, the opening of the
assure of SylVius, and the formation of
an opercuIum of the occIpital lobe.
Histology has also detected certain
anomalies in the brains of those Grim
inals whose autopsy has been made.
Thus Spika has found the fermentation
of the nucleum of the tenth, seventh
and fifth pairs in murderer's brain;
also Golgi and March, have detected
the augmentation of the nervous cells
in the brain of convict. The school
Of criminal anthropology in Italy has
also made important contributions to
this list of facts.
M. Mano has examined the hands Oh
criminals, and he has discovered among
individuals convicted for murder, among
those guilty of inficting wounds, a
great preponderance of large and short
hands; while with thieves the frequency
of long and narrow hands is less con-
siderable. AS to the question of tattoo
ing he finds that the larger number of
tattooed persons is among the assassins
and assailants.
NJ Lombraso, together with NJ.
Mano, has studied criminality among
infants. They examined $50 infants,
and especially $50 from the houses of
refuge. They found that the criminal
type could be recognized at that age,
associated with had tendencies, in the
proportion Of IA per cent. The loss
of moral sense was recognized in Al
per cent. and veritable propensity to
crime in 10 per cent. Out of 30 infants
they have observed the disappearance
of criminal tendencies partly through
non-inheritance, partly under the bene-
fetal influence of their surroundings,
and partly because their criminal pas
sions. existing az certain period, dis
appear in maturity.
The typical criminal physioguomY has
been recognized among murderers in
Germany in the proportion of Sc per
cent. among thieves to that of % per
cent. among insolvents, and in persons
convicted of bigamy to the extent of 6
per cent. Among females this type was
found in % per cent. With ordinary
men and women this type was only
found fourteen times among 815 indi-
viduals. eight of whom were doubtful.
Tomasira, Bono and Depaoli have as
serted the great capacity of the orbits
or eye-sockets and prevalent daltonism
M. Bono also insists upon the swiftness
of vision among criminals. But per.
hapS the most curious observations
were made upon the different strength
of the two hands-M. NJ Telegram.