Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

A Systematic Review of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Criminal Justice System

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper provides a systemic review of the available literature on people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the criminal justice system (CJS). The review considers two main types of study: those that examined the prevalence of people with ASD in the CJS and those that examined the prevalence of offending in populations with ASD. In addition, types of offences in people with ASD, co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses, and characteristics of people with ASD who commit offences (including predisposing factors) are considered. A combination of search terms was used in a variety of databases in order to find all of the available literature on this topic, and research studies were included based on specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. It was found that whilst there is an emerging literature base on this topic, there are a wide variety of methodologies used, making direct comparison difficult. Nevertheless it can be concluded so far that people with ASD do not seem to be disproportionately over-represented in the CJS, though they commit a range of crimes and seem to have a number of predisposing features. There is poor evidence of the presence of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses (except in mental health settings) amongst offenders with ASD, and little evidence of the oft-asserted over-representation of certain kinds of crimes. It is recommended that further research of good quality is required in this area, rather than studies that examine populations that are not representative of all those with ASD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • References preceded by * are those studies included in the systematic review tables.

  • *Allen, D., Evans, C., Hider, A., Hawkins, S., Peckett, H., & Morgan, H. (2008). Offending behaviour in adults with Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 748–758.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: APA.

  • Baird, G., Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., Meldrum, D., et al. (2006). Prevalence of disorder of the autism spectrum in a population cohort of children in South Thames: The special needs and autism project (SNAP). Lancet, 368, 210–215.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S. (1988). An assessment of violence in a young man with Asperger’s syndrome. Journal of Child Psychiatry and Psychology, 29, 351–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barry-Walsh, J. B., & Mullen, P. E. (2004). Forensic aspects of Asperger’s syndrome. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 15, 96–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bean, P., & Nemitz, T. (1994). Out of depth and out of sight. London: Mencap.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Brookman-Frazee, L., Baker-Ericzen, M., Stahmer, A., Mandell, D., Haine, R. A., & Hough, R. L. (2009). Involvement of youths with autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disabilities in multiple public service systems. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 2, 201–219.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Brugha, T., McManus, S., Meltzer, H., Smith, J., Scott, F. J., Purdon, S., et al. (2007). Autism spectrum disorders in adults living in households throughout England report from the adult psychiatric morbidity survey 2007. England: The NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care.

  • Cashin, A., & Newman, C. (2009). Autism in the criminal justice detention system: A review of the literature. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 5(2), 70–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cederlund, M., Hagberg, B., Billstedt, E., Gillberg, I. C., & Gillberg, C. (2008). Asperger syndrome and autism: A comparative longitudinal follow-up study more than 5 years after original diagnosis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 72–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Cheely, C. A., Carpenter, L. A., Letourneau, E. J., Nicholas, J. S., Charles, J., & King, L. B. (2012). The prevalence of youth with autism spectrum disorders in the criminal justice system. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 1856–1862.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, P. S., Chen, S. J., Yang, Y. K., Yeh, T. L., Chen, C. C., & Lo, H. Y. (2003). Asperger’s disorder: A case report of repeated stealing and the collecting behaviours of an adolescent patient. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 107, 73–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clare, I. C. H., & Gudjonsson, G. H. (1993). Interrogative suggestibility, confabulation, and acquiescence in people with mild learning disabilities (mental handicap): Implications for reliability during police interview. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 32, 295–301.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clare, I. C. H., & Gudjonsson, G. H. (1995). The vulnerability of suspects with intellectual disabilities during police interviews: A review and experimental study of decision-making. Mental Handicap Research, 8, 110–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, S.-A., Mohamed, W. N., & Collacott, R. A. (1993). Possible Asperger’s syndrome in a mentally handicapped transvestite offender. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 37, 189–194.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health. (2010). Fulfilling and rewarding lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England. London: Department of Health.

  • Dickson, K., Emerson, E., & Hatton, C. (2005). Self-reported anti-social behaviour: Prevalence and risk factors amongst adolescents with and without intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49, 820–826.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Enayati, J., Grann, M., Lubbe, S., & Fazel, S. (2008). Psychiatric morbidity in arsonists referred for forensic psychiatric assessment in Sweden. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 19, 139–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Everall, I. P., & Lecouteur, A. (1990). Firesetting in an adolescent boy with Asperger’s syndrome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 284–287.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fazel, S., Xenitidis, K., & Powell, J. (2008). The prevalence of intellectual disabilities among 12,000 prisoners: A systematic review. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 31, 369–373.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freckelton, S. C. (2012). Expert evidence by mental health professionals: The communication challenge posed y evidence about autism spectrum disorder, brain injuries and Huntingdon’s disease. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 35, 372–379.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freckelton, S. C. (2013). Autism spectrum disorder: Forensic issues and challenges for mental health professionals and courts. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26, 420–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujikawa, Y., Umeshita, S., & Mutura, H. (2002). Sexual crimes committed by adolescents with Asperger’s disorder: Problems of management by the viewpoint of probation officers at a family court. Japanese Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 280–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez de la Cuesta, G. (2010). A selective review of offending behaviour in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 1(2), 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gudjonsson, G. H. (1991). The ‘notice to detained persons’, PACE codes and reading ease. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 5, 89–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gudjonsson, G. H. (1992). The psychology of interrogations, confessions and testimony. Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gudjonsson, G., Clare, I. C. H., Rutter, S., & Pearse, J. (1993). Persons at risk during interviews in police custody: The identification of vulnerabilities. The Royal Commission of Criminal Justice, Research Study no. 12. London: HMSO.

  • *Hare, D. J., Gould, J., Mills, R., & Wing, L. (1999). A preliminary study of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders in three special hospitals in England. London: National Autistic Society/Dept of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart-Kerkhoffs, L. A., Jansen, L. M., Doreleijers, T. A., Vermeiren, R., Minderaa, R. B., & Hartman, C. A. (2009). Autism spectrum disorder symptoms in juvenile suspects of sex offences. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70(2), 266–272.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haskins, B. G., & Silva, J. A. (2006). Asperger’s disorder and criminal behavior: Forensic–psychiatric considerations. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 34, 374–384.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Hippler, K., Viding, E., Klicpera, C., & Happé, F. (2010). Brief report: No increase in criminal convictions in Hans Asperger’s original cohort. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 774–780.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgins, S. (1992). Mental disorder, intellectual deficiency and crime: Evidence from a birth cohort. Archives of General Psychiatry, 49, 476–483.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgins, S., Mednick, S. A., Brennan, P. A., Scgulsinger, F., & Endberg, M. (1996). Mental disorder and crime. Archives of General Psychiatry, 53, 489–496.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Howlin, P. (2004). Autism: Preparing for adulthood (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Kawakami, C., Ohnishi, M., Sugiyama, T., Somekl, F., Nakamura, K., & Tsujii, M. (2012). The risk factors for criminal behaviour in high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs): A comparison of childhood adversities between individuals with HFASDs who exhibit criminal behaviour and those with HFASD and no criminal histories. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 949–957.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Kumagami, T., & Matsuura, N. (2009). Prevalence of pervasive developmental disorder in juvenile court cases in Japan. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 20, 974–987.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Långström, N., Grann, M., Ruchkin, V., Sjöstedt, G., & Fazel, S. (2009). Risk factors for violent offending in autism spectrum disorder: A national study of hospitalised individuals. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24, 1358–1370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, M. D., Haque, O. S., Northrup, E. C., Lawer, L., & Bursztajn, H. J. (2012). Emerging perspectives on adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, violence ad criminal law. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, 40, 177–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyall, I., Holland, A. J., Collins, S., & Styles, P. (1995). Incidence of persons with a learning disability detained in police custody: A needs assessment for service development. Medicine, Science and the Law, 35, 61–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacEachron, A. E. (1979). Mentally retarded offenders: Prevalence and characteristics. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 84, 165–176.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maras, K. L., & Bowler, D. M. (2012). Brief report: Suggestibility, compliance and psychological traits in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 1168–1175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mawson, D. C., Grounds, A., & Tantam, D. (1985). Violence and Asperger syndrome: A case study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 147, 566–569.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayes, T. A. (2003). Persons with autism and criminal justice: Core concepts and leading cases. Journal of Positive Behavior Intervention, 5, 92–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McBrien, J., Hodgetts, A., & Gregory, J. (2003). Offending and risky behaviour in community services for people with intellectual disabilities in one local authority. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 14, 280–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medford, S., Gudjonsson, G., & Pearse, J. (2000). The identification of persons at risk in police custody: The use of appropriate adults by the metropolitan police. London: Institute of Psychiatry and Metropolitan Police.

  • *Mouridsen, S. E., Rich, B., Isager, T., & Nedergaard, N. J. (2008). Pervasive developmental disorders and criminal behaviour: A case control study. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 52, 196–205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mourisden, S. E. (2012). Current status of research on autism spectrum disorders and offending. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 79–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Murphy, D. (2003). Admission and cognitive details of male patients diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome detained in a special hospital: Comparison with a schizophrenia and personality disorder sample. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 14(3), 506–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Murphy, D. (2006). Theory of mind in Asperger’s syndrome, schizophrenia and personality disordered forensic patients. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 11, 99–111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Murphy, D. (2007). Hare psychopathy checklist revised profiles of male patients with Asperger’s syndrome detained in high security psychiatric care. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 18, 120–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, G., Beadle-Brown, J., Wing, L., Gould, J., Shah, A., & Homes, N. (2005). Chronicity of challenging behaviours in people with severe intellectual disabilities and/or autism: A total population sample. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35, 405–418.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, G., & Mason, J. (2014). People with intellectual disabilities and offending behaviour. In E. Tsakanikos & J. McCarthy (Eds.), Handbook of psychopathology in intellectual disability. New York: Springer.

  • Murrie, D. C., Warren, J. I., Kristiansson, M. D., & Park, E. (2002). Asperger’s syndrome in forensic settings. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 1, 59–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Autistic Society. (2011). Autism, a guide for criminal justice professionals. London: National Autistic Society.

  • Newman, S. S., & Ghaziuddin, M. (2008). Violent crime in Asperger syndrome: The role of psychiatric co-morbidity. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 1848–1852.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *North, A. S., Russell, A. J., & Gudjonsson, G. H. (2008). High functioning autism spectrum disorders: An investigation of psychological vulnerabilities during interrogative interview. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 19, 323–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perske, R. (2011). Perske’s list: False confessions from 75 persons with intellectual disability. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 49, 365–373.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Radley, J., & Shaherbano, Z. (2011). Asperger syndrome and arson: A case study. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 5, 32–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Robinson, L., Spencer, M. D., Thomson, L. D. G., Stanfield, A. C., Owens, D. G. C., Hall, J., et al. (2012). Evaluation of a screening instrument for autism spectrum disorders in prisoners. PLoS One, 7, 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz-Watts, D. M. (2005). Asperger’s disorder and murder. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 33, 390–393.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Scragg, P., & Shah, A. (1994). Prevalence of Asperger’s syndrome in a secure hospital. British Journal of Psychiatry, 165, 679–982.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Siponmaa, L., Kristiansson, M., Jonson, C., Nyden, A., & Gillberg, C. (2001). Juvenile and young adult mentally disordered offenders: The role of child neuropsychiatric disorders. Journal of American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 29, 420–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. A. (1993). Confusing the terms “guilty” and “not guilty”: Implications for alleged offenders with mental retardation. Psychological Reports, 73, 675–678.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Soderstrom, H. (2005). Clinical neuropsychiatric symptoms in perpetrators of severe crimes against persons. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 59, 246–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Soderstrom, H., Sjodin, A. K., Carlstedt, A., & Forman, A. (2004). Adult psychopathic personality with childhood-onset hyperactivity and conduct disorder: A central problem constellation in forensic psychiatry. Psychiatry Research, 121, 271–280.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot, J. (2008). Prisoners’ voices: Experiences of the criminal justice system by prisoners with learning disabilities and difficulties. London: Prison Reform Trust.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toichi, M. (2002). Sexual crimes by adolescents with Asperger’s disorder: Relation to cognitive task findings. Japanese Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 290–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Wahlund, K., & Kristiansson, M. (2006). Offender characteristics in lethal violence with special reference antisocial and autistic personality traits. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21(8), 1081–1091.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L. (1981). Asperger’s syndrome: A clinical account. Psychological Medicine, 11, 115–129.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L. (1996). The autistic spectrum. London: Robinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Woodbury-Smith, M. R., Clare, I. C. H., Holland, A. J., & Kearns, A. (2006). High functioning autistic spectrum disorder, offending and other law-breaking: Findings from a community sample. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 17, 108–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Woodbury-Smith, M. R., Clare, I. C. H., Holland, A. J., Kearns, A., Staufenberg, E., & Watson, P. (2005). A case–control study of offenders with high functioning autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 16, 747–763.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Woodbury-Smith, M. R., Clare, I. C. H., Holland, A. J., Watson, P. C., Bambrick, M., Kearns, A., et al. (2010). Circumscribed interests and ‘offenders’ with autism spectrum disorders: A case–control study. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 21, 366–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Glynis H. Murphy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

King, C., Murphy, G.H. A Systematic Review of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Criminal Justice System. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 2717–2733 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2046-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2046-5

Keywords

Navigation