Cesare Lombroso is known for studying the bodies of which type of individuals?

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Cesare Lombroso is recognized for his contributions to criminology, particularly through his theory of the "born criminal." He studied executed criminals' bodies to uncover physical characteristics that he believed indicated a predisposition to criminal behavior. Lombroso argued that certain biological traits could be associated with criminality, proposing that these traits were a result of atavism—the idea that criminals were evolutionary throwbacks to more primitive humans. By examining the physical attributes of executed criminals, Lombroso aimed to identify specific features that he thought could be used to classify individuals as criminals based on their anatomy. This perspective laid the groundwork for later studies on the relationship between biology and criminal behavior, making his focus on executed criminals a foundational aspect of his work.