Dear Colleagues,

According to DSM-5-TR, a range of perceptive, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dysfunctions are involved in the diagnostic definition of psychotic disorders. Despite the heterogeneity among studies reporting a risk of violence, psychotic disorders are overall associated with a higher risk of violence than the general population, especially when presenting alongside a substance use disorder.

Although psychotic disorders are characterized by a large burden of disability, both in quantitative (lower life expectancy) and qualitative (social drift) terms, the association with violence makes their evaluation and management even more complex. In forensic psychiatry, psychotic disorders must be carefully evaluated to assess criminal responsibility.

Specifically, the assessment of the mental state of a subject with a psychotic disorder at the time of a crime is a major challenge due to the remarkable qualitative–quantitative variability of the manifestations of this kind of disorder.

Additionally, in the civil field, it is important to verify the presence of specific skills in the subject, such as the ability to sign contracts, make wills, and give consent to medical treatments.

Moreover, in general, it is important to examine the different dimensions that characterize psychotic disorders in both the civil and criminal fields, particularly the presence of hallucinations, delusions, confusion, or cognitive impairment. It is also important to evaluate compliance with drug treatment and the response to it.

The management of people with psychotic disorders is also important in prisons where this could be particularly difficult in relation to complying with pharmacological therapy and the promotion of rehabilitation programs.

Finally, the presence of psychotic disorders in patients undergoing psychiatric treatment can also have an impact on professional liability. The therapeutic management of these patients can configure medical liability in relation to physical and/or pharmacological restraint. Furthermore, in the case of self-injurious and/or hetero-injurious acts by both inpatient and outpatient psychotic patients, there may be legal consequences for medical personnel.

This Special Issue aims to contribute to the progress in medico-legal research in relation to the forensic psychiatric aspects of the management and treatment of psychotic disorders.

This Special Issue will consider the wide range of topics associated with medico-legal and forensic psychiatric issues in the fields of civil and criminal justice, particularly:

• Criminal responsibility;
• Civil matter evaluations;
• Violence in psychosis;
• Forensic inpatients and outpatients;
• Prison detention;
• Medical liability
• Care and rehabilitation pathways for psychiatric offenders.

We will consider the following paper formats: original articles, research letters, reviews, case reports, and meta-analyses, as well as short communications providing an up-to-date overview of relevant and debated themes of interest in this field.

Dr. Luigi Cipolloni
Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Antonello Bellomo
Dr. Donato Morena
Dr. Andrea Cioffi
Co-Guest Editors

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• forensic psychiatry
• legal medicine
• psychosis
• suicide
• violence
• culpability
• professional liability
• psychiatric hospital
• correctional psychiatry