ABSTRACT
In the context of police investigation or custodial interview, some autistic individuals may not necessarily be recognised as immediately vulnerable by the police, as a result of their apparent competent use of language and by virtue of the fact that they appear to be intellectually capable. However, despite their apparent abilities, many autistic individuals may experience considerable difficulties in being able to understand and cope with police demands, as well as high levels of distress in the custody context. It is imperative that there is an understanding of the influence that having a diagnosis of autism can have on the investigative interview process given the important function that interviews can have within a number of forensic contexts. For many autistic individuals, a formal interview can cause significant sensory overload and distress which leads to a negative experience or a poor level of engagement, as well as reducing the quality of information obtained. This chapter will explore how the efficacy of forensic interviews can be affected by features of autism, including detailed discussion of memory impairments, impairment in ability to recall events in a sequential manner, issues with compliance, lack of (or reduced) emotional expression, awkward or inappropriate expressions or behaviours, impaired social communication and interaction, issues with time to respond, misinterpretation or lack of understanding of repetitive interests or behaviours, and unusual ways of speaking. It will conclude by providing a number of recommendations for criminal justice professionals when carrying out an investigative interviews with autistic individuals, designed to improve both the experience for suspects and the outcomes.
