Violent behaviors and Klinefelter syndrome: Two forensic cases from the past to the future

Abstract

Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) (XXY) is the most common sex-chromosome aberration among men. The cognitive phenotype includes language learning problems, mental retardation, and psychiatric disorders. Patients can show criminal personality and psychosocial problems. The most common offences reported are sexual abuse, arson, burglary, homicide, drug-related crimes. KS very often goes under-diagnosed. The aim of our study is to verify the hypothesis of correlation between chromosomal abnormalities and criminal behaviors through the analysis of a forensic case of uxoricide/suicide. We report the case of an old man, found dead in his cottage with a gun in the right hand. Judicial inspection demonstrated suicidal single gunshot injuries. Data analysis highlighted a personal story of uxoricide. Autopsy investigation showed the typical KS phenotype. The post-mortem clinical diagnosis was confirmed through the genetic analysis of the karyotype. The retrospective analysis of literature with this case showed a possible correlation between KS and psychiatric traits, with criminal personality and sexual disorders.