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Implications of Pseudologia Fantastica in Criminal Forensic Evaluations: A Review and Case Report
Author(s) -
Frierson Richard L.,
Joshi Kaustubh G.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13616
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , forensic science , criminal responsibility , phenomenon , psychology , forensic psychiatry , insanity defense , criminology , medicine , political science , criminal law , psychiatry , epistemology , history , philosophy , archaeology , insanity , veterinary medicine
Abstract Pseudologia fantastica, a psychological phenomenon that has been described in the literature for at least a century, is an understudied and poorly understood entity. Sometimes referred to as pathological lying, pseudologia fantastica involves disproportionate fabrication that may be present for many years or a lifetime. In a forensic context, it can significantly complicate the evaluation of capacity to stand trial and, in certain jurisdictions, criminal responsibility. We review the current literature regarding pseudologia fantastica and present a case to highlight the clinical and forensic challenges it may create. We specifically discuss the complications that pseudologia fantastica may have on the assessment of a defendant's rational ability to consult with an attorney, a required element of capacity to stand trial. In addition, we discuss the implications of pseudologia fantastica in the evaluation of criminal responsibility.