DANGEROUSNESS IN AN UNPREDICTABLE AND UNTREATABLE TENDENCY TO INFLICT OR RISK SERIOUS, IRREVERSIBLE INJURY OR DESTRUCTION, OR TO INDUCE OTHERS TO DO SO. IMPORTANT FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING DECISIONS REGARDING DANGEROUSNESS FALL INTO FOUR CATEGORIES: (1) THE OFFENSE; (2) PAST BEHAVIOR; (3) PERSONAL DATA; AND (4) SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. WITHIN THE OFFENSE, DETAILS OF THE BEHAVIOR, DEGREE OF VIOLENCE USED, QUALITY OF THE VIOLENCE, DISINHIBITING FACTORS (E.G., DEPRESSIVE DRUGS, PRESENCE OF COMPANIONS, FATIQUE), AND BEHAVIOR AFTER THE OFFENSE ARE IMPORTANT VARIABLES. PERSONAL DATA TO BE CONSIDERED INCLUDE SEX, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, AND PERSONALITY TRAITS (E.G., DECEPTIVENESS, TRANSPARENCY, JEALOUSY). HISTORICAL DATA REGARDING SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES MAY INCLUDE DEPRIVATION, UNSATISFACTORY RELATIONS WITH PARENTS, CHILDHOOD BEATINGS, OR ALCOHOLIC PARENTS. THESE FACTORS MAY BE USEFUL INSOFAR AS THEY HELP TO ILLUMINATE THE INDIVIDUAL'S CAPACITY TO FEEL SYMPATHY AND TO LEARN BY EXPERIENCE. SINCE THE ACCURACY OF PREDICTION VARIES INVERSELY WITH TIME, THE MAINTENANCE OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND GOOD COMMUNICATION IS APPARENTLY AN ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CRIMINALS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED.)