TY - JOUR
T1 - Opportunities, threats and limitations of neuroscience data in forensic psychiatric evaluation
AU - Casartelli, Luca
AU - Chiamulera, Cristiano
PY - 2013/9
Y1 - 2013/9
N2 - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In the last decade, a number of studies have been published to shed light on the interaction between neuroscience and the law, notably on the introduction of neuroscience data in forensic psychiatric evaluation (FPE). Even if there is a growing consensus on the relevance of neuroscience in clinical practice, the role of neuroscience in FPE is still controversial. RECENT FINDINGS: The use of neuroscience data in FPE can support the detection of psychopathological disabilities (e.g. deficit of self-control, aggressiveness) that may be involved in criminal action. Traumatic brain injury-related clinical disorders that may lead to misconduct have a relevant role in the debate. Traditionally, literature refers also to rare and weird cases in which brain tumours, infections and morphological abnormalities were supposed to be significantly associated with disorders leading to criminal action. SUMMARY: After reviewing recent literature from both legal and neuroscientific perspectives, we consider a broader range of clinical conditions (e.g. disorders of consciousness in sleepwalking, dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease, misattributions of self in delusional experience) that may have implications in legal settings. Obviously, it would be possible to consider also different clinical conditions. We conclude by suggesting further experimental and theoretical analysis.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In the last decade, a number of studies have been published to shed light on the interaction between neuroscience and the law, notably on the introduction of neuroscience data in forensic psychiatric evaluation (FPE). Even if there is a growing consensus on the relevance of neuroscience in clinical practice, the role of neuroscience in FPE is still controversial. RECENT FINDINGS: The use of neuroscience data in FPE can support the detection of psychopathological disabilities (e.g. deficit of self-control, aggressiveness) that may be involved in criminal action. Traumatic brain injury-related clinical disorders that may lead to misconduct have a relevant role in the debate. Traditionally, literature refers also to rare and weird cases in which brain tumours, infections and morphological abnormalities were supposed to be significantly associated with disorders leading to criminal action. SUMMARY: After reviewing recent literature from both legal and neuroscientific perspectives, we consider a broader range of clinical conditions (e.g. disorders of consciousness in sleepwalking, dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease, misattributions of self in delusional experience) that may have implications in legal settings. Obviously, it would be possible to consider also different clinical conditions. We conclude by suggesting further experimental and theoretical analysis.
KW - Biological psychiatry
KW - Forensic psychopathology
KW - Law
KW - Neuropsychiatry
KW - Neuroscience
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84881372949&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84881372949&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/YCO.0b013e32836342e1
DO - 10.1097/YCO.0b013e32836342e1
M3 - Article
C2 - 23842085
AN - SCOPUS:84881372949
VL - 26
SP - 468
EP - 473
JO - Current Opinion in Psychiatry
JF - Current Opinion in Psychiatry
SN - 0951-7367
IS - 5
ER -