When examining criminal acts you will find that there are many aspects that contribute to the crime itself. Experts have been trying for years to uncover the root cause of the crime. Some early research considered facial features and skull contour as sources of criminal behavior. Furthermore, there are researchers who believe that the offender's environment is a determining factor in his criminal behavior. This is to say that the offender who grew up in poverty or lived in a crime infested area will be influenced by these factors. This article will examine some of the factors that make up the criminology dimension. Biological and Psychological Explanation of Crime “Theories of the causality of crime proposed by Cesare Lombroso, an Italian doctor, are based on biological explanations” (Conklin, 2010, p. 105). Biological explanations of crime rely on physical attributes to conclude why some people are criminals. Lombroso also theorized that criminals were atavistic or born out of time. In other words, he was saying that the criminal has the appearance of a primitive people or an animal. “Lombroso implies that criminal tendencies are something a person has at birth” (Conklin, 2010, p. 106). A major concern with Lombroso's theory was unintentional stereotyping. Furthermore, it has created an environment conducive to prejudice and discrimination. For example, different race and ethnicity could easily be identified as a potential criminal. This theory in turn has created a mistrust of some people in society. Lombroso's theory was also wrong because he had not used an adequate test group in his research. His theory lent itself to the development of c...... middle of paper ......html/ojjdp/jjbul2001_12_1/characteristics.htmlConklin, J.E. (2010). Criminology (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson, Allyn and Bacon. Decker, Bynum and Weisel, (1998). Stereotype against modern youth gangs. Retrieved from http://www.ncjrs.govDIONNE, EJ, Special to the New York Times. (1984, October 4). A PROFILE OF THE AMERICAN MAFIA: OLD LEADERS AND NEW COMPETITORS. New York Times (latest edition (East Coast)), p. A.1. Retrieved May 28, 2011, from Banking Information Source. (Document ID: 952009341). Young, T., R., (1985) A Marxian theory of crime. Retrieved from http://www.radford. edu/~junnever/articles/marxcrime.htmWoodhams, J., Hollin, C., & Bull, R. (2007). The psychology of crime linking: A review of the evidence. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 12(2), 233. Retrieved May 6, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 2094518071)