When people are victimised by violent crime, the general public assumes that the victim could have been spared if the perpetrator had been identified as potentially dangerous by mental health agents. Yet prediction of dangerousness is an inexact science and depends upon many complex factors. This book provides a thorough and clear description of research findings in order to help clinicians make sound decisions concerning their clients' dangerousness. The book covers a broad spectrum of violent behaviour as well as crucial issues such as biological factors, domestic violence, and the influence of alcohol in violent behaviour. The book is divided into the following sections: Basic Issues in Violence Research, Mental Health Issues and Dangerousness, Family Issues and Dangerousness, Individual Characteristics and Dangerousness. It will serve as an important reference book that not only covers scientific literature but provides views on future directions for research and practice in this valuable field.

"[E]ssential reading...At the least, this book should be readily available on the bookshelf for rapid reference. Sooner rather than later, the clinician will need it." Journal of the American Medical Association

"Valuable because it contains a variety of informative chapters regarding various types of violence, violent offenders, and antecedents of violence...This volume does provide a fairly comprehensive overview of validated risk factors for violence in a wide variety of contexts...Would be an appropriate text, or supplemental text, for graduate courses on violent behavior...There is much in this volume that would be useful for practicing clinicians as well." Contemporary Psychology

"Timely and relevant for those in the forensic arena and the psychiatrist for whom this issue emerges in routine practice...A comprehensive overview of the scientific literature... Informative and up-to-date... Suitable for trainees preparing for written examinations and forensic psychiatrists with an interest in criminal matters." Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

"Meticulously edited and attractively bound...presents an up-to-date review of dangerousness and its assessment. The editors have assembled an impressive roster of collaborators....Extremely instructive....Should be read by psychiatrists and mental health specialists engaged in predicting and managing violent behaviors." Canadian Journal of Psychiatry

"Georges-Franck Pinard and Linda Pagini, of the University of Montreal, are to be congratulated on this solid, useful summary of the clinical understanding of dangerousness." Psychiatric Services