CCTV is ‘legally blind’ – academicAn Australian computer scientist has declared CCTV camera systems meet the definition of being ‘legally blind’ when it comes to precise identification of criminals. Billions of dollars have been spent worldwide on systems that should come with a sign sho…
Prisons in Victoria, 2010How well are Australia’s prisons serving the community? One major Royal Commission recommendation was that the community constantly keep watch on what is happening in prisons. Here, CLA’s Keith McEwan does just that, for the Victorian prison system.…
In a surprise decision, the EU Court of Human Rights has overturned a House of Lords judgement and told Britain that its police stop-and-search powers are invalid. The government must now reframe the laws to abide by human rights.Controversial stop-a…
CLA is campaigning against the draconian provisions of draft legislation on ‘Serious and Organised Crime’, which is now (Feb 2010) being considered by federal parliament. Here is proof, from WA, of how the state can abuse similar legislation, and inflict…
Scientists question DNA accuracyA trans-Atlantic group of 41 scientists want access to the 7m DNA records on the US national database to test whether DNA matching statistics are accurate, or overstated. There are indications that probability numbers need re-thinking, the scientists say…
The comment below results from this article: http://www.news.com.au/national/dna-tags-forqueenslands-future-child-criminals/story-e6frfkvr-1225817732108 Message: Bill Rowlings’ comment on DNA tagging for kids suggests to me that he’s not suitable for a…
I write to you regarding the recent tragic loss of the life of a 2yo girl during a police pursuit in Sydney. Once again the civil libertarians blame the police for this tragedy instead of the perpetrators (the armed robbers). It is about time the do-go…
Editor, The West Australian: Sir, I respond to your report ‘Overcrowding to blame for jail assaults’ TWA 16 Dec 09 p18.
It goes without saying that overcrowded prisons where prisoners are forced to share a cell with other prisoners will always be open t…
The Labor Government’s internet filtering plan is seriously flawed, says electronics engineer Arved Von Brasch. Even above technical problems, the reach of the existing ‘Refused Classification’ extends beyond child porn, and there’s enormous scope fo…
Tasmanian Police Commisioner Jack Johnston, recently cleared by the High Court of a serious charge, for 16 months suffered the ignominy of being strip searched, swabbed for DNA, the subject of possible listening devices and liable for phone-tapping. CLA…