Quote:
Preliminary findings indicate that hfASDs are over-represented in criminal populations relative to their prevalence in the general population. However, more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm these findings. As forensic clinicians become familiar with diagnostic paradigms for these disorders, more comprehensive and systematic approaches will be needed to identify and assess individuals with hfASDs. Further research should systematically assess various domains of potential psychiatric-legal value, such as capacity for empathy and remorse, risk factors for psychopathy, and impulsivity. Theory of Mind factors such as intentionality may be highly relevant to issues related to degrees of culpability. Heretofore, ToM research has focused on child populations. Therefore, new instruments must be developed to assess ToM capacities in both hfASDs and in other psychiatric disorders known to be associated with ToM deficits.
http://www.autismuk.com/?page_id=1133
not an excuse, but an interesting slice of information. it might be fair to have ASDs under consideration when a person is charged with a crime, because apparently the deck is stacked against them already - they are overrepresented in prison. according to this article people with ASDs sometimes have difficult expressing appropriate remorse when on trial (perhaps because it is often manufactured anyway, so aspies and auties don't "play along" as they should. hard to say)
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