- A crime means some kind of shock condition in both victims, perpetrators and witnesses.
And then this can make an impact when you have a very high stress level and also have cognitive difficulties.
You might start talking thoughtlessly, and it's not really connected.
You do not really remember what you said.
It is difficult to describe a process quite simply, says Anki Sandberg to Crime of the Week.
It can be unbearable to end up in a cell
Anki Sandberg is supported by Björn Hofvander, a specialist in clinical psychology, who believes that the Swedish legal system today is ill-equipped to handle this group of people, who may have special needs in interrogation situations as well as in court, prison and forensic psychiatry.
- For all people, it is very stressful to be arrested or detained, but for a person with autism, it can be almost unbearable to end up in a cell you have not been to before, says Björn Hofvander.
Need to raise knowledge about diagnoses
Anki Sandberg at the national association Attention points out that no conscious investment has been made in raising knowledge even though people with ADHD, autism and similar diagnoses are overrepresented in the legal system, as suspects, plaintiffs and probably also witnesses.
She believes that there is a great risk that people with neuropsychiatric disabilities, NPF, are perceived as less credible, not least in police interrogations.
She points out that there are wise and experienced police officers and lawyers who can see that it is a stressed person.
But when that understanding is lacking, the person with a disability feels awkward.
You feel that you cannot live up to what is expected of you, for example to give clear testimonies.
- The basic rule is always clarity.
What should we talk about?
How long are we going to last?
This is what I expect from you and so on.
It creates a peace in itself to get the frames clear for themselves.
Regardless of whether you are accused or not, says Anki Sandberg.