Criminal responsibility and substance abuse, two forensic cases and an international review

Abstract

Objective: This paper explores how substance abuse influences criminal responsibility, combining two forensic case studies with a comparative analysis of international legal approaches. Methods: A multidisciplinary review was conducted, integrating legal frameworks and psychiatric literature across
jurisdictions. Two Italian forensic cases involving synthetic cannabinoids and chronic polysubstance dependence are examined to illustrate critical issues.
Results: Jurisdictions vary significantly in how they treat intoxication and addiction in criminal law. In particular, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) present challenges due to their rapid evolution and psychiatric unpredictability.
Neuroscientific research reveals longstanding cognitive impairments in individuals with chronic addiction. Conclusions: The binary legal distinction between voluntary intoxication and insanity is inadequate in addressing
complex addictionrelated behaviors. Integrating clinical knowledge into legal standards is essential to fairly assess diminished capacity without negating accountability.