Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome and Confabulation: A Review for Criminal Justice Professionals

Criminal justice professionals are disproportionately likely to encounter people with Wernicke- Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS), but few are trained to recognize the symptoms of this debilitating condition. Perhaps one of the most concerning symptoms of the syndrome is the tendency toward confabulation. We review signs, symptoms, and predictors of WKS, and discuss ways that confabulation could be particularly problematic within the criminal justice system. Given that WKS can be [managed/treated] if diagnosed early, increased vigilance regarding the disorder could have implications for reducing instances of false testimony and false confession. Keywords : confabulation, false confessions, false testimony, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome