Final answer:
Cesare Lombroso's theory suggested a link between physical characteristics and criminal behavior, proposing that some individuals are 'born criminals' identifiable through their appearance, a view that has been discredited in modern criminology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cesare Lombroso, a nineteenth-century Italian criminologist, was a prominent figure in the field of criminal anthropology. His theory argued that criminal behavior was innate and could be identified through physical features, a concept known as the born criminal type. Lombroso believed that certain facial features, skull shapes, and other physical characteristics were common among criminals, effectively linking appearance to the propensity for criminality. Lombroso's ideas suggested that individuals with such traits were more biologically primitive and inclined towards deviance and criminality, a theory which has largely been debunked and criticized for its determinism and lack of empirical support.