Part I examines the concept of dangerousness and the societal response to persons considered dangerous. It discusses the main features of dangerousness, long-standing sociocultural perspectives towards dangerousness (religious, legal, and medical), and the social contexts that shape dangerousness legislation, policy, and practice. Part II considers the clinical model of dangerousness¦some key assumptions, principles, and practices; some criticisms of the model; and three examples of jurisdictions with legislation and practice that use a clinical model (the Netherlands, England and Wales, and Illinois). Part III critiques dangerousness legislation and practice from the vantage point of the justice model of social control, and Part IV analyzes the emergence of a community-protection model of dangerousness that reflects not only a dissatisfaction with clinical and justice models but also the concerns of community-based movements that defend the interests of women and children and call for more emphasis on victims rights and crime prevention. Part V reviews Canadian approaches to dangerousness legislation and practice, and Part VI assesses current legislation and practices, along with recent reform proposals on the basis of cross-jurisdictional and historical analysis. Recommendations for additional research and policy development are presented. 143 references