Forensic Neuropsychiatry

Comprehensive Neuropsychiatry Evaluation Service

Director: Ruben Gur, PhD

The Forensic Neuropsychiatry Service of the Section for Neurodevelopment and Psychosis is dedicated to the study and application of neuroscience in relation to criminal and medicolegal domains.

This service conducts brain and behavior studies of children and adolescents at risk for violence or for becoming criminal offenders, individuals who have committed violent crimes, and individuals involved in litigation wherein understanding their brain function can be of value. Children and adolescents, in particular, are in a critical period of brain development, often falling short of the brain maturation we often take for granted when making decisions or deciding upon our next actions.

We specialize in the quantitative analysis of both structural and functional neuroimaging to better understand volumetric and metabolic bases of behavioral abnormalities as they relate to criminality.  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; structural) and positron emission tomography (PET; functional) can often appear normal upon visual inspection, which is the common evaluative method in clinical settings. However, objective measurement of these scans can offer a deeper and clearer look at underlying concerns.

We are working toward developing and implementing an updated version of our behavioral imaging, which can illustrate brain function based on performance on standardized neurocognitive measures. These data, in combination with structural and functional imaging, can provide substantial insight into the various mitigating circumstances for those who commit capital offenses.

Please feel free to contact Ruben C. Gur (gur@upenn.edu) or Jack C. Lennon (jack.lennon@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) with any questions regarding this service.