Abstract
Serial sexual homicide has been the object of intensive study from forensic psychiatric, criminological, developmental, and sociological perspectives. In contradistinction to these approaches, neuropsychiatric concepts and methods have received relatively little attention in this area. In this article we adopt a neuropsychiatric developmental perspective and undertake a review of the psychiatric literature on violence and autism spectrum disorders. Our analysis of this literature suggests the presence of an association between autism spectrum psychopathology and serial homicidal behavior. Recommendations for further research to help clarify the nature of this association are briefly discussed.
Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MeSH terms
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Antisocial Personality Disorder / diagnosis
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Antisocial Personality Disorder / physiopathology
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Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology
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Autistic Disorder / diagnosis
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Autistic Disorder / physiopathology*
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Autistic Disorder / psychology
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Brain / physiopathology
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Defense Mechanisms
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Expert Testimony / legislation & jurisprudence
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Homicide / legislation & jurisprudence
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Homicide / psychology*
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Humans
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Male
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Paraphilic Disorders / diagnosis
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Paraphilic Disorders / physiopathology
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Paraphilic Disorders / psychology
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Recurrence
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Risk Factors
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Schizoid Personality Disorder / diagnosis
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Schizoid Personality Disorder / physiopathology
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Schizoid Personality Disorder / psychology
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Sex Offenses / legislation & jurisprudence
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Sex Offenses / psychology*
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Violence / legislation & jurisprudence
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Violence / psychology*