A cognitive model of dangerous delusional misidentification syndromes

The hallmark of the delusional misidentification syndromes is the presence of a misidentification delusion of the self or others. Delusional misidentification may present with an increased risk for dangerous behaviors. Individuals suffering from delusional misidentification syndromes may express hos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of forensic sciences Vol. 39; no. 6; p. 1455
Main Authors Silva, J A, Leong, G B, Garza-Treviño, E S, Le Grand, J, Oliva, Jr, D, Weinstock, R, Bowden, C L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1994
Subjects
Adult
Brain Diseases - complications
Capgras Syndrome - etiology
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - etiology
Dangerous Behavior
Delusions - etiology
Electroencephalography
Hostility
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Psychological
Neuropsychological Tests
Schizophrenia, Paranoid - etiology
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:The hallmark of the delusional misidentification syndromes is the presence of a misidentification delusion of the self or others. Delusional misidentification may present with an increased risk for dangerous behaviors. Individuals suffering from delusional misidentification syndromes may express hostility in ways ranging from serious verbal threats to homicidal acts. The causes of dangerous misidentification delusions remain for the most part undetermined. In this article, we report a series of six cases of individuals who harbored dangerous misidentification delusions. These individuals were studied phenomenologically and forensically. They were also studied biologically, including neuropsychological testing. A cognitive hypothesis aimed at explaining dangerousness and delusional misidentification is proposed. Implications of the hypothesis for further research are briefly outlined.
ISSN:0022-1198
DOI:10.1520/JFS13732J