Antisocial personality disorder and legal responsibility: A systematic review of the evidence

Abstract

This article presents a systematic review on the legal responsibility of individuals diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder from 2018 to 2024. In recent years, a debate has been maintained on the legal treatment of psychiatric disorders, including personality disorders, due to the complexity in managing their imputability in the legal system. The PRISMA model criteria were used to review and select studies relevant to this objective in academic databases. The results show that there is evidence of alterations at the neuroanatomical level that may affect the volitional capacity of people with APD, resulting in poor impulse control. However, some authors agree that, despite these alterations, individuals with this diagnosis are fully aware of their actions and their consequences when committing a crime, so this diagnosis would not necessarily constitute a reason for mitigation of their imputability. This article highlights the importance of continuing to develop theory and evaluation methods to establish adequate legal treatment.