According to the law, in The Netherlands dangerousness resulting from mental illness is the standard for acute commitment. The subject of this article is whether psychiatrists do actually meet this standard. With respect to an analysis of psychiatric reports and literature the author concludes that dangerousness is not the principal motif for commitment. This finding may be the result of a lack in defining dangerousness in the law and by the Supreme Court. Another reason for this finding might be the double role that is expected from the psychiatrist. On one hand, as a docter, he is supposed to treat his patients. And on the other as a judge of dangerousness to protect society. These roles might be contraditory.