NCJ Number
136872
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1992) Pages: 830-838
Date Published
1992
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Three cases of individuals suffering from delusions involving misidentification and harmful behavior toward child victims are presented, and possible linkages between the misidentification process and dangerous behavior toward the misidentified child are explored.
Abstract
Misidentification syndromes have received increasing attention in recent times. The best known of these syndromes is Capgras syndrome, also known as the syndrome of doubles. In this syndrome, the affected individual believes that another person, usually well-known to the individual, has a different psychological identity while the physical appearance remains the same as the original identity. Misidentification syndromes are generally associated with paranoid thinking and hostility directed toward the misidentified object. In some cases, the level of hostility and paranoid ideation may lead to violence, including homicidal acts. Cases from the literature are presented in which children represent the misidentified objects. The relationship between misidentification and potential harm to these children is discussed, and the importance of careful assessment of psychotic persons is emphasized. 34 references and 1 table (Author abstract modified)