Through his publications, the criminologist aims to make a contribution—not only scientific and neuroscientific, but also practical and tangible—to fostering greater awareness of lived reality and of the activities carried out using increasingly valid and effective methodologies that can be applied in law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, scientific research, and consulting.
The eBook version of*Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Forensic Neuroscience*, 2nd edition, by Prof. Franco Posa, is now available on Amazon.
This book offers an up-to-date, interdisciplinary analysis of bullying and cyberbullying, drawing on forensic neuroscience, clinical criminology, psychology, and law. Particular attention is given to the neurobiological mechanisms of aggression in childhood and adolescence, peer group dynamics, and new forms of digital violence, including the negative consequences associated with the misuse of emerging technologies.
This work builds on the scientific research conducted in recent years on the relationship between the mind, deviant behavior, and educational responsibility, offering readers tools for understanding and practical insights for prevention.
The print version will be available shortly.
Prof. Franco Posa’s new novel, titled “Meditations on Love,” is now available as an ebook on Amazon. It is his second novel to be published, following the success of “The Anatomy of a Secret” (2025).
Abstract:
Background:The global spread of illicitly manufactured fentanyl represents a critical intersection between neuroscience, law, and public health. Originally developed as a potent analgesic in the 20th century, fentanyl’s low production cost, chemical adaptability, and high lethality have enabled its rapid proliferation through transnational criminal networks. While North America remains the epicenter of the crisis, with synthetic opioids accounting for the majority of overdose deaths, recent evidence indicates the gradual expansion of fentanyl and its analogues into Europe, where emerging threats include nitazenes and xylazine-adulterated compounds.
Methods:This study adopts a multidisciplinary approach that combines neuroscientific, criminological, and legal perspectives to analyze the causes and consequences of fentanyl use and distribution. Through a systematic review of biomedical and legal literature, the study outlines the neurobiological mechanisms underlying opioid dependence, particularly the role of
craving and impaired reward circuitry involving the mesolimbic dopaminergic system.
Results: Thesefindings reveal structural and functional changes in the brain that significantly affect volitional control, thereby challenging the traditional legal assumption that free will is a prerequisite for culpability.
Epidemiological data from 2019 to 2025 show a steady increase in fentanyl-related deaths, particularly among adolescents and first-time users exposed to adulterated substances.
Conclusions:Although harm-reduction strategies, such as naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, and medication-assisted treatment, have yielded measurable benefits, they remain insufficient to counter the evolving complexity of synthetic opioid markets. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need to align legal and criminal policy frameworks with neuroscientific evidence, promoting a balanced approach that integrates public health, justice, and human rights in addressing the global fentanyl crisis.
🇮🇹 A new milestone for our research institute:
“I am pleased to announce that NeuroIntelligence – Institute for Ethical Criminological Research is now officially registered in the ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) database, the ISO standard that uniquely identifies organizations, researchers, and institutions in the global academic and scientific community.
This recognition strengthens our presence in the international research community and ensures the traceability of our publications and collaborations.
Registration with ISNI represents an important step in the growth of our institute, which continues to promote ethical, interdisciplinary, and evidence-based research in the fields of neuroscience, criminology, and forensic science.”
Franco Posa
Scientific Director
🇬🇧 A new milestone for our Research Institute:
“I am pleased to announce that NeuroIntelligence – Institute for Ethical Criminological Research is now officially registered in the international ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) database — the ISO standard that uniquely identifies organizations, researchers, and institutions across the global academic and scientific landscape.
This recognition strengthens our presence within the international research community and ensures the traceability of our publications and collaborations.
Registration with ISNI marks an important step in the growth of our institute, which continues to promote ethical, interdisciplinary, and evidence-based research in the fields of neuroscience, criminology, and forensic science.”
Franco Posa
Scientific Director
Abstract
The phenomenon of “criminal dismemberment” remains under-explored in the scientific literature, despite its significant relevance as a post-homicidal behavior. This study seeks to address this gap by proposing an innovative, multifactorial methodology for the analysis of dismemberment cases. The methodology is structured into several key phases essential to ensuring the technical and scientific validity of the results, and it is designed to facilitate the reconstruction of injuries on dismembered cadaver sections in order to determine the sequence of events, establish the post-mortem interval, and assess the timing of injuries.
We are pleased to announce the publication of the book*Neuroscience, Psychology, and Justice*, written by Prof. Franco PosaandMatteo Posa.
The book explores the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and the judicial system, offering a rigorous, multidisciplinary analysis of the cognitive foundations of moral and legal judgment. It is intended for scholars, legal professionals, forensic psychologists, and researchers interested in understanding how neuroscientific evidence is transforming our conception of justice.
📘First edition now available
The new handbook on the innovative PASIC (Psychological Autopsy Structured on Individual Cases) protocol is now available. It will be available on Amazon and in bookstores nationwide.
Capgras syndrome is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the delusional belief that loved ones, objects, animals, or places have been replaced by impostors, duplicates, or copies. While research has explored this mental disorder in psychiatric and neurobiological contexts, its criminological implications remain under-investigated […]
I am pleased to announce the release of my first novel, which is available for purchase—including as an ebook—on youcanprint.it and Amazon, and can be ordered at all bookstores.
doi: 10.17265/2159-5526/2023.02.001
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