Clare S AllelyUniversity of Salford and Honorary Research Fellow (University of Glasgow) · School of Health Sciences
Clare S Allely
MA (hons.), MRes, PhD, MSc, PgCAP
Autism and the criminal justice system. Serial homicide. Mass shooting. Lone-actor terrorism. Threat assessment.
About
151
Publications
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Introduction
I am a Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Salford in Manchester, England. I am an affiliate member of the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at Gothenburg University, Sweden. I am also an Honorary Research Fellow in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences affiliated to the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow.
Additional affiliations
June 2011 - June 2014
Education
January 2015 - January 2016
September 2013 - August 2014
September 2007 - September 2010
University of Manchester
Field of study
- Experimental Psychology
Publications
Publications (151)
Background
Outcome measurement in child and adolescent forensic mental health services can support service improvement, research, and patient progress evaluation. This systematic review aimed to identify studies which validate structured instruments available for use as outcome measures in the child and adolescent forensic mental health service coh...
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) refers to a range of conditions caused by prenatalexposure to alcohol. First described in the 1970s as fetal alcohol syndrome, continuingprogress has been made in the understanding, recognition and treatment of what is nowrecognised to be a range of related neurodevelopmental disorders. FASD is common,especial...
It is argued that there are overlaps and similarities in the dynamics and other characteristics between perpetrators of acts of terrorist violence and perpetrators of school shootings. In this case analysis article, we retroactively applied the Terrorist Radicalization Assessment Protocol–18 (TRAP-18) to study the perpetrator (Nikolas Cruz [NC]) of...
Purpose The literature indicates that sexuality education provided in schools/colleges in the United Kingdom (UK) may not be appropriate for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There appears to be a lack of understanding of the subject regarding young people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a dual diagnosis (ASD co-o...
Systematic review evidence highlights that individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Dis-order (FASD) are nineteen times more likely to be incarcerated than individuals without FASD. From the perspectives of caregivers of individuals with FASD, this study explores the factors that predispose individuals with FASD to and vulnerabilities within crimina...
Background
Autism spectrum disorder (hereafter referred to as autism) is characterised by difficulties with (i) social communication, social interaction, and (ii) restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours. Estimates of autism prevalence within the criminal justice system (CJS) vary considerably, but there is evidence to suggest that the co...
Neurodivergent young people tend to struggle with building and maintaining their romantic relationships. Despite this, there appears to be a lack of appropriate sexuality education delivered to them. This review aims to present and discuss the most current literature (conducted between 2015 and current) on romantic relationships and sexuality educa...
Despite an increasing number of studies which examine the interplay between autism and offending mechanisms, there has been a lack of research investigating the interplay between autism and stalking. It was anticipated that findings from this investigation would inform future interventions with individuals with autism who stalk. This secondary data...
Background
Screening children for developmental disorders presents unique ethical and methodological challenges, particularly with disorders associated with high levels of shame and stigma. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. The potential distress caused by informing pa...
Purpose
Recent research has proposed a specific female phenotype within autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It suggests females exhibit differences in social communication styles with higher levels of camouflaging and compensatory strategies, as well as variance in restrictive repetitive behaviours (RRBs); however, many existing studies have been based...
Background
To date, there is no evidence supporting the existence of an association between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and extremism in the general population. However, there is increasing recognition that several features of ASD may provide the context of vulnerability to engage in extremist behaviour.
Aims
This paper sets out the case for a...
Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are more likely to be involved with the criminal justice system (CJS) than neurotypical individuals. Interrogative suggestibility is theorised to be a weakness in this population; this is the first experimental evidence of interrogative suggestibility in adolescents with FASD. Fifty‐two parti...
Background
In England, court‐based mental health liaison and diversion (L&D) services work across courts and police stations to support those with severe mental illness and other vulnerabilities. However, the evidence around how such services support those with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) is limited.
Aims
This study aimed to evaluate, throu...
Background
Many young people with autism can have an average or above average IQ, yet they still struggle with the social competencies needed to successfully navigate into adulthood. Despite many individuals with autism experiencing significant challenges during their transition into adulthood, evidence‐based therapeutic interventions to support in...
In this case analysis, we applied the Path to Intended Violence model (PTIV) and the Terrorist Radicalization Assessment Protocol (TRAP-18) in order to study the 28-year-old shooter (hereinafter referred to as Brenton Tarrant [BT]) who perpetrated two consecutive mass shootings at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, during Friday Prayer on March...
A growing number of evidence-based services are available for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), but few focus on caregiver psychoeducation. Despite new guidance in the UK requiring FASD services, the evidence base for effective interventions is currently lacking. An FASD caregiver training program would be a novel and valuable addition to ser...
Evidence has shown a high prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders amongst offenders in custodial institutions. Bringing together the latest knowledge and understanding, this book describes the needs of offenders who present with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability and foetal alcohol spe...
Evidence has shown a high prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders amongst offenders in custodial institutions. Bringing together the latest knowledge and understanding, this book describes the needs of offenders who present with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability and foetal alcohol spe...
Evidence has shown a high prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders amongst offenders in custodial institutions. Bringing together the latest knowledge and understanding, this book describes the needs of offenders who present with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability and foetal alcohol spe...
Although it is recognised that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and personality disorders (PDs) have a variety of factors in common, the exact nature of the relationship between ASD and the PDs remains unclear. The overlapping symptom profiles and complexities in developmental trajectories in ASD and PDs can lead to diagnostic uncertainty and to chal...
A case study analyzed the role of trauma in contributing to arson and terroristic threats in a person with an autism spectrum disorder. Trauma played a critical role in "channeling the focus of an ASD-related preoccupation into traumatic re-enactments, re-experiencing with accompanying worldview and beliefs."
Four dysfunctional identities were presented that exemplified a theme of "contamination" from a former positive life to one of possible victimization. Identity repair and redemption was sought through engaging in the Path to Intended Violence and committing acts of violence and/or terroristic violence.
We applied the path to intended violence (PTIV) [Calhoun, F. S., & Weston, S. W. (2003). Contemporary threat management: A practical guide for identifying, assessing, and managing individuals of violent intent. Specialized Training Services] model and the Terrorist Radicalization Assessment Protocol (TRAP-18; [Meloy, J. R. (2017 Meloy, J. R. (2017)...
The study of social psychological processes and cognition entails unraveling how people perceive, interact in, and react to our social world. Particularly, social psychology relies on disentangling how people’s beliefs and behaviors are influenced by others across different experiences and phenomena. In recent years, this framework has been increas...
Background
Court Mental Health Liaison and Diversion Services (CMHLDS) have developed in some countries as a response to the over-representation of mental illness and other vulnerabilities amongst defendants presenting to criminal justice (or correctional) systems. This study examined the characteristics and rates of mental disorder of 9088 defenda...
Extremism is a global phenomenon, with an increasing domestic and international presence. Extremists recruit persons to their causes through online forums that spread hate-filled narratives and promote violence. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder may be vulnerable to recruitment through these online forums, and clinicians who work with autis...
Purpose:
To systematically review studies on the effectiveness of supplementary imaging for breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts.
Materials and methods:
A systematic search of peer-reviewed publications in English (January 2000 to March 2021) was carried out. Eight databases were used to retrieve the studies: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Coch...
Julian Assange is an Australian national and the founder of WikiLeaks, a nonprofit organization that publishes news leaks and classified information provided by anonymous whistle-blowers. In May 2019, a United States federal grand jury returned an 18-count criminal indictment against Assange. If convicted, Assange could face up to 10 years of incar...
The ability to accurately predict the risk of an individual committing an act of targeted violence is likely to be impossible given the low base rate of these acts (Goodwill & Meloy, 2019). Nevertheless, prevention is possible if there is a focus on fact-based behaviors, and threat management is in place. The Terrorist Radicalization Assessment Pro...
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to add to the relatively limited existing literature exploring the experience of individuals with autism spectrum disorder in the prison environment. Prisoners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) need to be identified in order that they are given the necessary and appropriate support and safeguards. It is increa...
Three of the most prevalent developmental disorders (DDs) are autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). As part of a study screening for DDs in Greater Manchester, UK, a unique opportunity was taken to explore parents' experiences of receiving reports about their chil...
Purpose: Court Mental Health Liaison and Diversion Services (CMHLDS) have developed in some countries as a response to the over-representation of mental illness and other vulnerabilities amongst defendants presenting to criminal justice (or correctional) systems. This study examined the characteristics and rates of mental disorder of 9088 defendant...
This article will explore serial and mass murder. It will cover the literature which has investigated leakage and warning signs or red flags in mass shooters. The role of biological, or body-related, issues; narcissism; fame-seeking; the injustice collector concept; and the preoccupation and fascination with other mass shooters are then discussed a...
The 13 papers included in this Research Topic approach varied aspects of social cognition and its relationship to legal processes, providing important guidance on how we might explore these questions in future international work across different jurisdictions and countries. We are thrilled that researchers represented in this international collecti...
Individuals with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are estimated to be 19 times more likely to encounter the criminal justice system (CJS) in comparison to individuals without FASD. During encounters with the CJS, investigative interviews are employed to obtain accurate information from suspects, victims or witnesses of crime. A systematic s...
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the current literature which assesses the incidence of completed or attempted mass shooting events in which a female party acted either alone or as an accomplice; explore the involvement of women in the planning or execution of acts of terrorism; evaluate the pathology of women involved in these acts...
The treatment of vulnerable defendants by criminal justice systems or correctional systems varies within and between countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine three legal jurisdictions – New South Wales in Australia; Norway; England and Wales – to understand the extent of variation in practice within the court systems for defendants with i...
Aim
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) may present as neuropsychiatric problems as well as impairments of motor, cognitive, social and communication functioning. This study describes the introduction of a specialist service with expertise in NDD into an existing court mental health liaison and diversion service to determine if the service would imp...
Background
Despite high levels of prenatal alcohol exposure in the UK, evidence on the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is lacking. This paper reports on FASD prevalence in a small sample of children in primary school.
Methods
A 2‐phase active case ascertainment study was conducted in 3 mainstream primary schools in Greater Ma...
Background
Prevalence studies among prisoners have found rates of 1–4% for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autistic traits. However, little is known about those prisoners with high levels of autistic traits.
Aim
This aim of this study was to compare the mental health characteristics of prisoners with autistic traits with neurotypical prisoners n...
Background: Despite high levels of prenatal alcohol exposure in the UK, evidence on the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is lacking. This paper reports on FASD prevalence in a small sample.
Methods: A two-phase active case ascertainment study was conducted in three mainstream primary schools in Greater Manchester, UK. Schools w...
This heuristic study examined potential serial sexual homicide offenders (SSHOs), an unacknowledged offender group comprised of aspiring and probable SSHOs, and compared them to successful SSHOs. Data were collected on six aspiring SSHOs that each failed a single homicide attempt, 16 probable SSHOs that committed 17 homicides in separate events, an...
Trauma is prevalent in the lives of adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As a result, a routine screening for trauma is essential especially when autism-related symptoms are heightened or when violence is exhibited. Case studies and empirical analyses of individuals with ASD and trauma have indicated that traditional Post-Traumatic Stress...
The current study examines potential serial homicide offenders (SHOs), a previously unacknowledged offender group comprised of aspiring and probable SHOs, and compares them to successful SHOs. Data on 17 aspiring, 46 probable, and 16 successful SHOs were collected. The study results indicate that potential serial killers share more in common with s...
Purpose
Allely and Dubin (2018) and Allely et al. (2019) have emphasised that there are a range of innate vulnerabilities in many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are charged with the viewing of indecent images of children (IIOC). Currently, the association between ASD and the viewing of IIOC is poorly recognised and understood b...
Purpose
Despite an increasing number of studies that examine sexual offending behaviour in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) individuals, there has been a lack of research investigating stalking and ASD. This study aims to carry out a scoping review following PRISMA guidelines to identify studies which have been carried out exploring stalking behaviou...
In this article, the case of Mr. Holmes is discussed in detail with a particular focus on the treatment he received when he was at graduate school in the months leading up to the shooting and, primarily, the findings from the sanity evaluation carried out by Dr. Metzner. In this article the I³ model is applied to the case of Mr. Holmes. His attack...
Purpose
There remains a lack of knowledge surrounding paraphilic or deviant arousal sexual behaviours in individuals with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Kellaher, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature for any empirical study, case study or discussion/review paper surrounding individuals with ASD and zoophilia or bestiality....
Purpose
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have a detrimental impact on the individual’s ability to benefit from rehabilitative prison-based programmes, and studies have also found that there is an association between PTSD and higher rates of re-offending. Studies have also found that a significant number of cases of trauma and PTSD go undet...
Purpose
The area of trauma in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is an important area given the substantial rates of abuse endured by these individuals. However, there are issues with the identification of trauma, understanding how it is perceived, and manifested. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The limited research...
The relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and violence is poorly understood. Several violence risk factors are either modified by or are unique to ASD; clinicians conducting violence risk assessment of people with ASD must consider these factors. An ASD-specific risk assessment tool is clearly needed. In the absence of this, clinician...
Purpose
There is increasing attention on investigating the association between fire-setting and psychopathology and also the degree to which fire-setting is a manifestation of mental disorder. Despite the actual prevalence of pyromania remaining elusive, there is growing evidence in the literature highlighting the higher rates of psychiatric mental...
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify studies which have investigated arson or firesetting in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic PRISMA review was conducted.
Findings
The present review highlighted the relatively little research that has been conducted to date exploring firesetting...
This paper examines how the symptomology of the small number of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) charged with online sexual offenses in Australia is established during legal arguments and conceived by the judiciary to impact legal liability and offending behavior. This study aims to provide empirical support for the proposition that...
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the need for increased understanding, awareness and recognition of the autism female phenotype in terms of repetitive behaviours and restricted interests (RBRIs).
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic PRISMA review was conducted. The main aim of the present systematic review is to identify studi...
Cambridge Core - Psychiatry - Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders - edited by Fred R. Volkmar
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders - edited by Fred R. Volkmar January 2019
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review available literature targeting the assessment and management of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) admitted to high secure psychiatric care (HSPC). Key areas of examination include the prevalence of ASD in HSPC, how individuals with an ASD differ from other patient groups in clinical an...
Objectives: The likelihood that serial murderers are responsible for most unresolved homicides and missing persons was examined by investigating the accounting of the phenomenon in the context of a declining prevalence. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used, consisting of a review of a sample of unresolved homicides, a comparative analysis of...
The current research provides perspective regarding the true prevalence of serial murderers in modern society and addresses the conflict between the evidenced decline in serial homicide and the viewpoint that the phenomenon is increasing. The likelihood that serial murderers are responsible for most unresolved homicides and missing persons is exami...
Purpose
Females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may display superficial social skills which may mask their ASD symptomology impacting on the identification of the disorder – known as the “camouflage” hypothesis. Compared to males with ASD, it is increasingly recognised that females with ASD have a stronger ability to imitate behaviour which is...
Purpose
As recently highlighted by Creaby-Attwood and Allely (2017), it is crucial that the possible innate vulnerabilities that contributed to sexual offending behaviour in an individual with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are taken into consideration for the application of a diversion programme to avoid the stigma of a criminal conviction or...
Mapping the antecedents of school shootings is an important step towards understanding and predicting when the tragedies occur. This study uses Crime Script Analysis (CSA) to map the variety of behaviours and precursors in sequence. An in-depth analysis of 16 school shooters in United States of America was used to build a crime script. The results...
A threat assessment perspective, namely the Path toward Intended Violence, was applied in the case of the mass shooting perpetrated by Dylann Roof on June 17, 2015 at an Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. This perspective is important since it attempts to build on accounts regarding how he progressed toward hi...
Purpose
Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with specific assessment, specific difficulties, needs and therapeutic issues and therefore are a challenging group for forensic services. Given the challenge that individuals with ASD present to forensic services, the suggested increase in the number of this group within this setting and...