Saleem Shah played a major role in the development of both policy and
research concerning the prediction of dangerousness to others over two
decades. During that period his commitment to the welfare of people w
ith mental illness led him first to challenge the legitimacy of such p
redictions and later to support research to improve them. His ideas we
re central to most of the research that has been done in this area. Th
is article suggests a direction for future research concerning the pre
diction of dangerousness to others that elaborates and extends his thi
nking by focusing on the research necessary to help individuals with m
ental illnesses to minimize their involvement in violence.