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
*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.