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In response to an article in this journal by another contributor, a modest attempt is made in the present paper to put forward additional perspectives concerning the classification and aetiology of psychopathy. An attempt is made also to distinguish between ‘essential’ psychopathy and ordinary recidivist criminality. Finally, some observations are made concerning the question of treatment.

An attempt is made to define dangerous behaviour in a social and environmental context. Some ethical issues are discussed and guidelines are suggested for the assessment and management of dangerous or potentially dangerous offenders. The importance of the therapist ‘knowing himself’ is also stressed.

The implementation of the Mental Health Act, 1983 affords an opportunity to re-examine some of the background to the new legislation and to place it within a wider historical context of public and professional attitudes towards the mentally disordered. No attempt is made to chart these developments in detail, but sufficient source material is provided for those who wish to pursue the study of this important topic further.

Some aspects of the knowledge and skills required for dealing with the psychiatrically disordered offender in the community are identified; for this latter purpose, attention is focused specifically upon those who may have been adjudged to be dangerous in the past or who are thought likely to be dangerous in the future. It is suggested that a knowledge of the world's great literature provides a useful addition to clinical and academic teaching. The importance of team work and good communication is stressed as is the need for socio-forensic workers to identify their blind spots and defences.

The issue of diminishment of responsibility is discussed by a ‘layman’ both generally and more specifically in relation to the Sutcliffe case. Legal, psychiatric and social aspects are considered in the context of the present constraints of the law as are some proposals for reform.

In this paper I shall consider the extent to which there are any substantial grounds for suggesting that there is a definite condition which some authorities have described as ‘clinical vampirism’. Such a condition, if indeed it can be said to exist, needs to be seen, not only against a background of various vampire myths and beliefs, but within the wider anthropological context of blood beliefs and rituals. Thus, in order to examine this topic we must be prepared to engage the subject matter of anthropology, mythology, folklore and demonology, as well as those disciplines that concern themselves more specifically with seriously pathological behaviour (such as forensic medicine, forensic pathology, forensic psychiatry and psychology).