Malingering a challenge for the forensic examiner.
After pointing out that spoken and non-verbal language are the primary means of communication in interpersonal dialogue, and especially in a forensic criminological examination, the authors present malingering in a legal context from an historical and psychodynamic- ontogenetic point of view. Diagnostic characteristics of malingering are reported in a review of previous studies. Latest psychological testing is presented. The authors express their professional opinion that malingering in a criminological forensic setting should be divested of the aura of deviousness and manipulation acquired throughout the past years. They propose that it is a defensive reaction to which a person charged with a crime resorts when under the stress of facing the legal consequences of wrongdoing. They view malingering in a forensic setting as regressive behavior to a childhood or adolescent stage, not to condone or justify it, but in an attempt to bring about better communication between examiner and examinee.
Palermo
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GB
Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, USA.
Perracuti
S
S
Palermo
M T
MT
D000328:Adult; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D011581:Psychological Tests