The detection of malingering in whiplash-related injuries: a targeted literature review of the available strategies
The detection of malingering in whiplash-related injuries: a targeted literature review of the available strategies
OBJECTIVE: The present review is intended to provide an up-to-date overview of the strategies available to detect malingered symptoms following whiplash. Whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) represent the most common traffic injuries, having a major impact on economic and healthcare systems worldwide. Heterogeneous symptoms that may arise following whiplash injuries are difficult to objectify and are normally determined based on self-reported complaints. These elements, together with the litigation context, make fraudulent claims particularly likely. Crucially, at present, there is no clear evidence of the instruments available to detect malingered WADs.
METHODS: We conducted a targeted literature review of the methodologies adopted to detect malingered WADs. Relevant studies were identified via Medline (PubMed) and Scopus databases published up to September 2020.
RESULTS: Twenty-two methodologies are included in the review, grouped into biomechanical techniques, clinical tools applied to forensic settings, and cognitive-based lie detection techniques. Strengths and weaknesses of each methodology are presented, and future directions are discussed.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the variety of techniques that have been developed to identify malingering in forensic contexts, the present work highlights the current lack of rigorous methodologies for the assessment of WADs that take into account both the heterogeneous nature of the syndrome and the possibility of malingering. We conclude that it is pivotal to promote awareness about the presence of malingering in whiplash cases and highlight the need for novel, high-quality research in this field, with the potential to contribute to the development of standardised procedures for the evaluation of WADs and the detection of malingering.
Biomechanical Phenomena, Humans, Lie Detection, Malingering/diagnosis, Neuropsychological Tests, Self Report, Symptom Assessment/methods, Whiplash Injuries/diagnosis
2017-2032
Monaro, Merylin
a2ed8b5e-fe61-4800-90b8-b214162c08ff
Bertomeu, Chema Baydal
8c59d1c7-d402-4b9c-9c66-dbae79b104fd
Zecchinato, Francesca
b9345a6c-e682-43b8-bb9d-832a21040303
Fietta, Valentina
7994f707-a53b-4fdd-b611-6fa1b8553992
Sartori, Giuseppe
cd1672f5-5deb-4dfd-9b89-ee09a2ca4fd8
De Rosario Martínez, Helios
6a259ab1-6415-4b53-9b2a-ca67d711e1e7
8 April 2021
Monaro, Merylin
a2ed8b5e-fe61-4800-90b8-b214162c08ff
Bertomeu, Chema Baydal
8c59d1c7-d402-4b9c-9c66-dbae79b104fd
Zecchinato, Francesca
b9345a6c-e682-43b8-bb9d-832a21040303
Fietta, Valentina
7994f707-a53b-4fdd-b611-6fa1b8553992
Sartori, Giuseppe
cd1672f5-5deb-4dfd-9b89-ee09a2ca4fd8
De Rosario Martínez, Helios
6a259ab1-6415-4b53-9b2a-ca67d711e1e7
Monaro, Merylin, Bertomeu, Chema Baydal, Zecchinato, Francesca, Fietta, Valentina, Sartori, Giuseppe and De Rosario Martínez, Helios
(2021)
The detection of malingering in whiplash-related injuries: a targeted literature review of the available strategies.
International journal of legal medicine, 135 (5), .
(doi:10.1007/s00414-021-02589-w).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present review is intended to provide an up-to-date overview of the strategies available to detect malingered symptoms following whiplash. Whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) represent the most common traffic injuries, having a major impact on economic and healthcare systems worldwide. Heterogeneous symptoms that may arise following whiplash injuries are difficult to objectify and are normally determined based on self-reported complaints. These elements, together with the litigation context, make fraudulent claims particularly likely. Crucially, at present, there is no clear evidence of the instruments available to detect malingered WADs.
METHODS: We conducted a targeted literature review of the methodologies adopted to detect malingered WADs. Relevant studies were identified via Medline (PubMed) and Scopus databases published up to September 2020.
RESULTS: Twenty-two methodologies are included in the review, grouped into biomechanical techniques, clinical tools applied to forensic settings, and cognitive-based lie detection techniques. Strengths and weaknesses of each methodology are presented, and future directions are discussed.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the variety of techniques that have been developed to identify malingering in forensic contexts, the present work highlights the current lack of rigorous methodologies for the assessment of WADs that take into account both the heterogeneous nature of the syndrome and the possibility of malingering. We conclude that it is pivotal to promote awareness about the presence of malingering in whiplash cases and highlight the need for novel, high-quality research in this field, with the potential to contribute to the development of standardised procedures for the evaluation of WADs and the detection of malingering.
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Monaro2021_Article_TheDetectionOfMalingeringInWhi
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 26 March 2021
Published date: 8 April 2021
Keywords:
Biomechanical Phenomena, Humans, Lie Detection, Malingering/diagnosis, Neuropsychological Tests, Self Report, Symptom Assessment/methods, Whiplash Injuries/diagnosis
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 453838
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/453838
ISSN: 0937-9827
PURE UUID: 59fa656e-7544-4df3-a9ae-848d3b8e5761
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Date deposited: 25 Jan 2022 17:31
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 04:08
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Contributors
Author:
Merylin Monaro
Author:
Chema Baydal Bertomeu
Author:
Francesca Zecchinato
Author:
Valentina Fietta
Author:
Giuseppe Sartori
Author:
Helios De Rosario Martínez
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