Dissociative identity disorder: validity and use in the criminal justice system
Keyword(s):
Case Law
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SUMMARYThis review examines whether the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID) could be used to support a defence of ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’ (NGRI, or the insanity defence). The problem is that DID has doubtful validity and can easily be malingered. However, the diagnosis is listed in standard psychiatric manuals. If accepted as valid, DID would have problematic forensic implications.LEARNING OBJECTIVESAfter reading this article you will be able to: •understand the history of the DID diagnosis•evaluate the validity of the DID diagnosis•appreciate, from case law, use of DID in support of an insanity defence.DECLARATION OF INTERESTNone.