title: Asperger's disorder and murder.
abstract: Little is known about the prevalence of violence and autistic spectrum disorders. This article reviews findings of current research on Asperger's disorder and violence. Criteria for diagnosing Asperger's disorder are given. Three cases are presented in which defendants with diagnosed Asperger's disorder were charged with murder. Specific symptoms in this disorder are discussed as they relate to issues of diminished capacity and criminal responsibility.
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 15 Medical Park, Suite 102, Columbia, SC, USA. donnasw@gw.mp.sc.edu
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Schwartz-Watts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D002203:Capital Punishment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000592:standards*; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000592:standards; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology