[Evaluating the simulation of memory problems within the legal and forensic fields]

The present article is a theoretic review of the techniques used to assess the malingering of memory problems in the forensic and legal context. The necessity of instruments to facilitate the detection of malingerers is confirmed. This phenomenon is more relevant in the memory pathology context because their exaggeration or false performance is very common. The reason of this preference is the ease of the simulation of these very well known symptoms. The consequences, economics primarily, of the confirmation of brain damage sequels have produced that malingerers are well informed about the characteristics of this syndrome. This review is focus on, both tests assessing different components of memory, such as the Wechsler Memory Scale III and the California Verbal Learning Test, and tests designed specifically to detect malingering. We also differentiate tests assessing explicit and implicit memory. Likewise, future lines of research are proposed in this important legal context.