This study on the morphological traits of head, face and mouth of the mentally deficient criminals was intended to know whether there could be found some hereditary differences from normal traits, and, if found, whether the development of those traits had a relation to the mental deficiency and the crimes. 159 obedient prisoners were chosen as the subject from inmates of a medical prison at a city. Inspections on the tooth health status, and measurements on the head, face and mouth, together with measurements on the plaster casts of the mouth were carried out. The results were compared with corresponding normal values. These persons were inferior to normal in the development of head, face, dental arch and palate. Lack of lateral incisor, abnormal contour of crowns were frequently observed. Increased width of crown in central incisor and canine was noted. Also V-formed dental arch was frequently met. This was probably related to a characteristic physiognomy of the subjects which comparatively more acute median angle of closed upper and lower lips had contributed, when viewed from lateral direction. Whether or not differences in these traits had derived from developmental disorder of head and cranium, and whether these traits showed the presence of hereditary types of criminal, or it only dealt with the manifestations of acquired traits, were not yet reached from the present study. These are themes to be discussed elsewhere in the hereditary study in twins. At present it may be safely said that these manifestations of the characteristic traits would not warrant identification of mental patients or criminals.
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Jun 22, 1974
T Heller 
Open Access