The computer program warns victims if dangerous behavior is likely to worsen, based on their responses to 48 questions developed from thousands of domestic abuse cases.

If a client makes statements that suggest suicidal or homicidal ideation, the clinician has the responsibility to take steps to warn intended victims, and if necessary, initiate involuntary commitment.

Before Tarasoff, therapists couldn't even warn potential victims that they'd been threatened.

This means the relay operator may not warn victims, even when they suspect the call is a scam.

The change concerning bodily harm, the first update of the profession's rules of conduct in nearly 20 years, is significant because lawyers who may know of a defective product can now warn potential victims.

'And even if they warn potential victims, it might not be any help in catching him,' Carol said.

Members of one family who received an award that was 25 percent less than what Mr. Feinberg had personally pledged say they now feel betrayed, and are warning other victims to "be careful."

He testified that he had warned other potential victims not to go to Mr. Matthews's home.

Doctors must also betray confidentiality when it is in the "public interest" (reporting infectious diseases, for example, or to warn potential victims of violence).

But in the last decade an increasing number of courts have concluded that health care professionals have an overriding duty to warn potential victims.