HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gellerman, D. M. Articles by Suddath, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gellerman, D. M. Articles by Suddath, R.

Violent Fantasy, Dangerousness, and the Duty to Warn and Protect

Dr. Gellerman is Attending Psychiatrist, Mental Health Consultation-Liaison Service, Sacramento VA Medical Center, and Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA; Dr. Suddath is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. Address correspondence to: David M. Gellerman, MD, PhD, VA Northern California Health Care System, 10633 Grissom Road, Building 2880, Mather, CA 95655. E-mail: david.gellerman{at}med.va.gov

An evaluation of homicidal ideation is a routine component of a mental status examination and may be evaluated in more depth in forensic evaluations as a dangerousness risk assessment. The evaluation of dangerousness often includes asking about violent fantasies that may have physical or sexual content. The authors examine the circumstances in which the revelation of violent fantasies to a mental health professional may trigger a duty to warn or protect third parties. Legal cases in which violent fantasies were considered in the context of assessing potential dangerousness are reviewed. The research literature on homicidal and sexually violent fantasies in both non-incarcerated and offender populations is examined. No consistent predictive relationship between violent fantasies and criminally dangerous behavior is reported in the available scientific literature. The authors suggest factors that mental health professionals may consider when assessing whether a particular violent fantasy indicates that a patient's thoughts could give rise to a duty.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. G. van der Dennen Review Essay: The Murderer Next Door: Why the Mind is Designed to Kill Homicide Studies, November 1, 2006; 10(4): 320 - 335. [Abstract] [PDF]