Sante Publique
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The authors review the new provisions from the law of 25 February 2008 on security measures on retention for safety and on reporting of criminal irresponsibility related to mental disorder. In doing so, they aim to bring a medical perspective to the discussion. ⋯ The concept of dangerousness, as the foundational definition of security measures, is discussed and the difficulties of its evaluation are outlined. Finally, the paper attempts to clarify the role of the psychiatrist in this new schema and to reaffirm the principles of care.