The aim of the study is to examine the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and criminal activities and/or proxies of criminal behaviour. We hypothesis that offsprings of mothers who drank during pregnancy especially heavy drinking of greater than 21 units a week, will be at an increased risk for adolescents antisocial activities and conversely criminal activities in adulthood. We further hypothesize that a graded risk-response outcome will emerge with a relationship between the quantity of alcohol being correlated with the number and intensity of antisocial activities and criminal activities.

The risk for youth criminal or antisocial activity will be modeled using logistic regression with PAE as predictor and controlling for the confounding variables listed previously. Additionally, the dose-response relationship between alcohol ingested in pregnancy and number of antisocial or criminal activities will be modeled using Poisson regression. This will take into account the low numbers of pregnant women with excessive alcohol use. The paternal use of substances will help control for the maternal use during pregnancy including a comparison with the maternal use of substances outside of the period of pregnancy. The results have implications for both preventative endeavors and service planning.