Poster #104 - Fentanyl and the Neuroscientific Roots of Criminal Behaviour: Forensic and Legal Reflections

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

The opioid crisis has entered a new and more dangerous phase with the widespread use of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than morphine. This poster explores the neurocriminological implications of fentanyl use, highlighting its impact on behavior, cognition, and legal responsibility. Drawing on recent findings from neuroscience, psychology, and forensic toxicology, we analyze how fentanyl affects impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation—functions closely tied to the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system. These alterations may contribute to an increased risk of criminal behavior, particularly in contexts involving substance use, violence, and impaired judgment. Our study also concerns the variability in opioid response observed both among individuals and across different ethnic populations, with genetic differences accounting for much of the interindividual variation. The analysis also considers the legal dilemmas posed by fentanyl-related cases, including issues related to free will, drug-induced harm, and the admissibility of neuroscientific evidence in court. By bridging neuroscience and criminology, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of the behavioral consequences of synthetic opioid use and emphasizes the urgent need for integrated forensic and legal frameworks to address the complexities introduced by such a powerful substance.

Authors

• Franco Posa, NeuroIntelligence Private Research Institute

• Matteo Posa, NeuroIntelligence Private Research Institute

• Camilla Trussardi, NeuroIntelligence Private Research Institute

• Martina Benzi, NeuroIntelligence Private Research Institute

• Vanessa Vener, NeuroIntelligence Private Research Institute

• Francesco Sclavi, NeuroIntelligence Private Research Institute