Capgras Syndrome and Criminal Behavior

Background: Capgras Syndrome is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the delusional belief that loved ones, objects, animals, or places have been replaced by impostors, duplicates, or copies. While research has explored this mental disorder in psychiatric and neurobiological contexts, its criminological implications remain under-investigated.

Methods: The authors conducted a narrative review of scholarly articles available on Google Scholar, PubMed and ResearchGate, focusing on Capgras-Syndrome-related violent behavior, legal outcomes, and clinical management. Additionally, instructive cases from Italian and American legal systems are illustrated.

Results: Capgras Syndrome frequently co-occurs with schizophrenia, mood, and neurodegenerative disorders, occasionally leading to violent acts against those perceived as “impostors”. Case analyses underscore the importance of early detection, accurate diagnosis, and interdisciplinary intervention.

Conclusion: This review highlights the need for increased awareness of the criminological implications attributed to Capgras Syndrome, particularly regarding forensic assessment and legal proceedings. Further research is needed to develop specialized treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes.