ABSTRACT

Psychosis can present itself in virtually every walk of life, but our interest in this chapter regards malingered psychosis in forensic matters. The presentation of mental illness as a mitigating factor in criminal behavior is a common thread throughout the history of forensic assessment. This chapter explores this history and describes different behavioral presentations of faked psychosis. Also described are available strategies to assist in detecting faked psychosis. Preliminary findings regarding newly emerging neuroimaging techniques to detect deception of faked psychosis are discussed. The chapter presents strategies to assist clinicians in avoiding complaints of erroneous data presentation regarding the sensitive finding of attempting to malinger by faked psychosis.