Mind Reading Through Body Language in Early Spanish Criminology and Juridical Psychology

Abstract

Mülberger deals with mind reading techniques used to gain knowledge about a person’s mental predisposition towards delinquency and crime. The study of the verbal expressions of marginalized groups undertaken by the criminologist Rafael Salillas and the personality test registering hand movements and the first textbook on juridical psychology authored by the psychiatrist and psychologist Emilio Mira are the basic materials used. The guiding questions of the research are: Which characteristics and actions did these two Spanish scholars consider useful hints? How did they register them and how were the results interpreted? In general, the research points out the important role of the body, namely verbal behaviour and muscular movements which were supposed to reveal hidden intentions and attitudes.