NCJ Number
145760
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 38 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1993) Pages: 904-913
Date Published
1993
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Delusional misidentification syndromes have intrigued psychiatric researchers for years; more recently, the dangerousness of individuals suffering from these syndromes has been the subject of scientific inquiry.
Abstract
In the current study, five individuals suffering from delusional misidentification syndromes were evaluated from phenomenological and neuropsychological perspectives. All were studied for facial recognition defects using the Benton Facial Recognition Test and the Warrington Recognition Memory Test. The possible role of face processing in the psychobiology of delusional misidentification syndromes was assessed in the context of dangerousness. The five patients displayed a variety of delusional misidentification syndromes, and it was determined that the presence of these syndromes may heighten an individual's potential for acting aggressively. Although no direct evidence indicated that the five individuals had gross neurological insults, study data suggested that four patients suffering from schizophrenia experienced mild difficulties with facial recognition. From a forensic psychiatric perspective, it appeared that psychotic beliefs involving radical facial changes led patients to become more grandiose and/or paranoid. 52 references and 1 table