Which researcher developed theories of crime based on physical characteristics?

Cesar Lombroso is recognized as a pioneer in the field of criminology for his development of the theory of atavism, which posits that criminal behavior can be linked to certain physical characteristics. Lombroso believed that criminals could be identified by specific biological traits, suggesting that they represented a throwback to earlier stages of human evolution—a conceptualization of criminals as "born criminals." His work emphasized the idea that physical characteristics, such as facial asymmetry, skull shape, and other anatomical features, could indicate a predisposition to criminal behavior. This perspective laid the groundwork for biological and psychological explanations of crime, distinguishing Lombroso's contributions from other criminological theories that focus more on social context or environmental influences.