Journal of Forensic Investigation
Case Report
Delusional Disorder and Crime: A Forensic Case Study
Valença AM1*, Dourado Junior JB2, de França MF3, Rigonatti LF4,Cordeiro Q5, da Silva AG6 and Telles LEDB7
1Institute of Psychiatry- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro-Brazil.
Fluminense Federal University- Niteroi-Rio de Janeiro-Brazil
2Hospital das Clínicas. Federal University of Pernambuco-Brazil
3Universidade de Pernambuco- Brazil
4Instituto de Medicina Social e Criminologia. São Paulo-Brazil
5Federal University of São Paulo-UNIFESP- Brazil
6Faculdade Paulista de Ciências da Saúde-Brazil
7Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. HCPA- Brazil
2Hospital das Clínicas. Federal University of Pernambuco-Brazil
3Universidade de Pernambuco- Brazil
4Instituto de Medicina Social e Criminologia. São Paulo-Brazil
5Federal University of São Paulo-UNIFESP- Brazil
6Faculdade Paulista de Ciências da Saúde-Brazil
7Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. HCPA- Brazil
*Address for Correspondence:Alexandre Martins Valença , Institute of Psychiatry- Federal University
of Rio de Janeiro-Brazil. Fluminense Federal University- Niteroi-Rio de Janeiro-Brazil. E-mail Id: avalen@uol.com.br
Submission: 20 April, 2026
Accepted: 12 May, 2026
Published: 14 May, 2026
Copyright: © 2026 Valença AM, et al. This is an open access article
distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords:Delusional disorder; Criminal responsibility; Forensic psychiatry;
Criminal imputability; Psychosis; Homicide
Abstract
The assessment of criminal responsibility in individuals with mental
disorders represents a critical intersection between psychiatry and
law. In Brazil, the biopsychological criterion is applied to determine
criminal imputability, requiring both the presence of a mental
disorder and its impact on the individual’s capacity for understanding
and self-determination. This study analyzes the application of this
criterion through a forensic psychiatric case involving a 42-year-old
male diagnosed with delusional disorder who committed homicide
motivated by religious delusions. A clinical-forensic evaluation was
conducted, focusing on four key elements: identification of mental
illness, establishment of a causal nexus, assessment of cognitive
capacity to understand the illicit nature of the act, and evaluation
of volitional capacity. Although the individual demonstrated formal
awareness of the illegality of the act, his behavior was significantly
influenced by a structured delusional system, impairing both judgment
and self-determination. Based on these findings, the subject was
considered criminally non-imputable and subjected to a security
measure involving psychiatric hospitalization. The case highlights the
importance of rigorous forensic psychiatric evaluation and reinforces
the relevance of the biopsychological model in ensuring fair judicial
decisions. Additionally, recent literature on delusional disorder
and violent behavior supports the findings, emphasizing the role of
delusional content in shaping criminal actions.
