The influence of ASD disclosure and its timing upon impressions formed during police interviewing

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) sometimes exhibit unusual behaviors that may lead to adverse interactions with criminal justice professionals and create unfavorable juror impressions. In two previous mock-police interview experiments we found support for this notion. There were more negative impressions and guilty verdicts when observers viewed a suspect displaying characteristic ASD behaviors compared to neurotypical behaviors. The present study found labeling the suspect and providing brief ASD information reduced this negative behavioral effect. The reduction was greater when labeling occurred before viewing the interview compared to after. When found guilty, ASD labeling decreased impressions of suspect criminal responsibility.