Final answer:
Cesare Lombroso believed that crime was caused by biological factors and could be identified by physical traits. Modern criminology has moved away from this perspective, focusing on socio-economic and environmental factors influencing crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cesare Lombroso, a 19th-century Italian criminologist, believed that crime was rooted in biological factors, specifically that criminality was inherited and could be identified by physical defects, which he termed 'atavistic' traits. According to Lombroso's theory, these biological factors predisposed certain individuals to criminal behavior, differentiating them from the 'normal' population.
Lombroso's theory has been largely discredited in modern criminology, as it does not account for the complex social, economic, and psychological factors that contribute to criminal behavior. Instead, contemporary research highlights the role of the social environment, including poverty, limited educational opportunities, and social disorganization, as significant factors that can influence crime rates.
In relation to the question about what Lombroso believed was the cause of crime, the correct answer is C) Biological factors.