Confabulation and the Criminal Justice and Mental Health Systems: An Introduction to a Complex Topic

Authors

Jerrod Brown
Robert Biehn
Deb Huntley
Cameron R. Wiley
Jeffrey Riley
Janina Cich

Abstract

Confabulation occurs when an individual inaccurately recounts memories or events that are untrue or chronologically out of sequence but does so without the intent to deceive. The source of this behavior is often misunderstood, associated with a broad range of disorders, and continues to be problematic for criminal justice professionals and mental health professionals alike. It is important to establish a better understanding of the topic of confabulation to implement appropriate and necessary interventions for clients. This article provides an overview of the types of confabulation that can occur as well as relevant information and suggestions for how professionals can handle them.

Recommended Citation

Brown, Jerrod; Biehn, Robert; Huntley, Deb; Wiley, Cameron R.; Riley, Jeffrey; and Cich, Janina (2016) "Confabulation and the Criminal Justice and Mental Health Systems: An Introduction to a Complex Topic," Forensic Scholars Today: Vol. 2: Iss. 2, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/forensic_scholars_today/vol2/iss2/3