Alexithymia, Asperger’s syndrome and criminal behaviour: a review Katy-Louise Payne and Clive Hollin Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the empirical literature informing the nature of the relationship between criminal behaviour and both Alexithymia and Asperger’s syndrome (AS). Design/methodology/approach – The relevant literature was identified through database searches and via citations in primary sources. Findings – Alexithymia and AS are relatively similar constructs with some overlap in their defining characteristics including utilitarian thinking and deficiencies in empathy. Alexithymia is significantly more prevalent in offender populations than controls and, in particular, has a complex relationship with psychopathy. The research concerning AS has mainly focused on offense type and reasons for offending. In terms of offences, homicide rates were in keeping with general base rates, however, sexual offences were under-represented and arson was over-represented. Practical implications – In terms of reasons for offending, criminal behaviour is best described as a consequence of the classical characteristics of AS. It is suggested that despite their similarities the relationship of the two disorders with criminal behaviour may well be different. This suggestion has implications for the design of services intended to reduce the risk of offending in these two groups. Originality/value – The review draws together a diverse range of literature around a rather neglected topic in criminological psychology. It will be of value to researchers in suggesting where new knowledge is needed, particularly with regard to disentangling the risk factors for offending for the two conditions, and to practitioners within the criminal justice system in pointing towards areas for intervention to reduce risk. Alexithymia presents as a spectrum condition imposing varying degrees of incapacity thereby suggesting multiple aetiological routes (Bellgrove and Fitzgerald, 2006). The defining features of alexithymia are difficulties in identifying and distinguishing bodily sensations of emotional arousal, trouble describing feelings, impaired imagination, and a thinking style which is bound to the external world (Taylor et al., 1997). Alexithymia is classified as a psychosomatic disorder rather than a mental disorder, although it is associated with an increased vulnerability to mental illness (Leweke et al., 2012). There are a range of assessments for the disorder including the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) (Taylor et al., 1985), the Bermond Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire (Vorst and Bermond, 2001), and the Observer Alexithymia Scale (Haviland et al., 2000). It appears that very little assessment of alexithymia occurs in forensic practise but it is clear that the way in which an individual perceives, thinks and reasons about their social world may be related to their offending (Gannon et al., 2005). Krystal (1979) suggested that individuals with alexithymia may display extreme bursts of emotional behaviour without awareness of the feelings they are expressing. This lack of awareness may in turn contribute to an inability to feel empathy which at times culminates in acts of violence (Kroner and Forth, 1995). However, the prevalence of alexithymia in offender. populations is under-researched. Louth et al. (1998), using the TAS, reported that 33 per cent of female offenders in a Canadian medium secure prison were alexithymic. Asperger’s syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder featuring on the autistic spectrum: it is associated with a triad of impairments in social communication, reciprocal interaction, and social imagination. AS differs from classical autism as individuals do not experience a language delay and there is no delay in cognitive development (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2010). AS is often diagnosed