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The Positivist School of criminology is characterized by its reliance on scientific methods and empirical research to understand criminal behavior. This approach emphasizes that behavior is determined by a range of social, biological, and psychological factors, suggesting that human actions are not wholly under individual control.

In this context, the rejection of legal definitions of crime signifies that the Positivist School does not view crime purely as a violation of laws established by society. Instead, it considers the underlying causes of criminal behavior. The focus is more on understanding the social conditions and personal circumstances that lead to crime, rather than merely categorizing actions as criminal based on legal statutes. By moving away from strict legal definitions, this school aims to uncover deeper patterns and influences that drive individuals toward criminal acts, which is central to their understanding of crime and its prevention.

This perspective differentiates the Positivist School from other criminological theories that may focus more on legalistic definitions or moralistic approaches to crime. Thus, the rejection of legal definitions of crime underscores the Positivist emphasis on a scientific and objective analysis of the factors that contribute to criminal behavior.