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…
A US Court of Appeals has effectively placed a tight limit on the USA’s 17,000 law enforcement agencies in how they fire off stun guns in non-threatening situations, in a case which could have ramifications in Australia. If stopped for not wearing a seat…
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…
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…
A new research paper from the Australian Institute of Criminology highlights how crime in Australia and in western nations is down over the past decade, and declining.
The paper indicates how wrong and self-servingly tendentious are the caterwauling…
The stock police/security answer to proliferation of CCTVs is: “If you haven’t done anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about”. But Vancouver Sun columnist Pete McMartin points out that governments now use ‘incalculable risks’ as a measure for bee…
The Rudd Government is about to pass laws which are ‘…diluting basic criminal justice principles’ and ‘jeopardis(ing) the most fundamental individual rights’, according to the Opposition, which still plans to vote for the unconscionable legislation. It…
Police in WA want metal detectors to line the streets of Perth. They also want the power to stop, scan and body search at will, without reasonable suspicion of an offence. Will it be a case of Perth WA this year, then Adelaide SA, Sydney NSW, etc next ye…
Portugal decriminalised personal consumption of drugs almost a decade ago, showing a lead to other advanced nations. It is also about to introduce an innovative national alcohol program. Advisor to the national drugs board, Fatima Trigueros, reports in d…