The reception of the hereditary crime theory

The article is devoted to the study of the relationship of heredity and criminal behavior, the analysis of the concepts of biological influence from antiquity to their scientific justification in modern times. The analyzed theory is designated as a biological hereditary theory in order to distinguish its subject from biological hormonal and other factors. Its definition as genetic is replaced, since in the English-speaking tradition it is called hereditary theory or hereditarianism. Concepts and methods of this theory, which influenced the development of criminology as a science, are described. Attention is given to the twin method, the genealogical method, or the family tree method and the anthropological method. The data of the latest criminological and biological research in this area are given. The appeal of modern researchers to the described methods of scientists of the XIX-beginning of the XX century who dealt with the problem of the influence of biology on crime is traced. However, modern methods tend to be more accurate. They are improved versions of previous methods, corrected by recent data. The studies of the Danish and Swedish registers of twins, MAO genes in mice and humans, the VNTR polymorphisms of the DRD4 and DAT genes in Russian and Chechen men: convicts and MMA fighters are presented. It has been shown that a link has been established between heredity and behavioral features that may become one of the causes of a crime. Undoubtedly, it carries the most important theoretical value for criminology. In addition, taking into account this connection will create more effective methods of preventing and combating crime.