[Regulation on preventive detention according to section sign 66 of the German Penal Code. Principles and differential indication compared with the regulation according to section sign 63 of the German Penal code].

Preventive detention is imposed by court order if a dangerous criminal shows a disposition to relapse. The negative criminal prognosis should be given by a psychiatric expert based on considerations about the criminal's personality traits. Matters of preventive detention are important for forensic psychiatry, but so far have rarely been discussed. This article presents related problems and offers-under special consideration of problematic personality traits or personality disorders-practical guidelines for expert testimony. Our considerations should serve as a thought-provoking stimulus for further psychiatric discussions about this topic.