The detection of malingered cognitive dysfunctions: A comparison between old and new criteria of slick and colleagues [L'identificazione della simulazione di disfunzioni cognitive: Un confronto tra i vecchi e i nuovi cri-teri di slick e colleghi]

Among the primary objectives of forensic neuropsychology is the examination of the cognitive status of individuals, with obvious or presumed damage to the central nervous system, who complain of cognitive deficits. However, the validity of neuropsychological testing is conditioned by the cooperation and 'good faith' of the examined individual; such aspects, if not satisfied, can lead to the gathering of invalid and/or misleading data. In fact, it is well known that in certain circumstances the opportunity to obtain a tangible advantage can induce some individuals to deliberately construct or exaggerate cognitive symptoms. For this reason, over the time there have been ever greater efforts to define common and reliable scientific criteria able to guide the examiner in the detection of malingering. One of the main contributions in this field are the so-called « Slick criteria», originally proposed in 1999, later updated and expanded in 2012-2013. Malingered cognitive performance can be determined by these criteria on the gathering and observation of data from multiple sources. This paper aims to examine the Slick and Sherman criteria of 2012-2013 in the light of the revisions made with respect to the original proposal of 1999.