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Applied Research Innovation and Service Evaluation

ASD in Forensic Services

People with Autistic Spectrum Conditions are over-represented but under-recognised in forensic populations and current research is small scale and limited.

Those with ASD may not necessarily be more likely to offend than those without but certain individual traits may be implicated in an individual’s offending and risk profile. There is a clear need for research into risk profile of ASD population to make the case for ASD informed assessments, interventions and services.

The project aims to develop this profile by describing the clinical and risk characteristics of people referred to North West Specialist Forensic Autism Services including, Forensic Personality and Autistic Spectrum Disorder Assessment and Liaison Team for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, and equivalent teams in Greater Manchester Mental Health and Lancashire Care. Collaboration between these Trusts and the University of Liverpool ARISE group aims to develop clinical and risk profile for ASD offenders and identify any emerging patterns of interaction between the clinical and risk profiles of individuals from this population. There is a particular focus on any links between ASD traits and offending behaviour. At present the initial feasibility and proof on concept project is currently being developed.

List of Publications:

  • Haines, A., Brown, A., McCabe, R., Rogerson, M., & Whittington, R. (2017). Factors impacting perceived safety among staff working on mental health wards. British Journal of Psychiatry Open, 3(5):204-211. First published online 5th September 2017. doi: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.117.005280.
  • McCabe, R., Rogerson, M., Haines, A., Brown, A., & Whittington, R. (n.d.). The relationship between inpatient mental health ward design and aggression. Paper submitted for publication in the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health (under review).
  • Haines, A., Perkins, E., Evans, E. & McCabe, R. (2018). Multidisciplinary Team Functioning and Decision Making within Forensic Mental Health. Mental Health Review Journal, 23 (3): 185-196. Accepted for publication on 29th June 2018, doi: 10.1108/MHRJ-01-2018-0001.
  • Evans, E., Haines, A., Perkins, E., Whittington, McCabe, R., Haeney, O., & Brown, A. (2016). An exploration of multidisciplinary team (MDT) working within forensic settings. Report for Mersey Care NHS Trust. June 2016. Health Services Research, University of Liverpool.