More women are psychopaths than previously thought, expert claims - these are the 7 key signs to look out for

According to the academic, signs of psychopathy typically exhibited by females are sexual in nature – and include flirtation, seduction and manipulation.

Psychopathic women also express violence, but it is usually of a verbal rather than physical nature – like shouting, swearing or screaming.

It's therefore more subtle than violence expressed by male psychopaths, which tends to be more physical.

'Also, female psychopaths tend to use words, rather than violence, to achieve their aims, differing from how male psychopaths tend to operate,' he said.

The academic is concerned that studies may be failing to identify female psychopaths because they are largely based around profiles of criminal and male psychopaths.