This looks like a test for Jack's new DNA database system (see http://slashdot.org/articles/01/01/21/0354222_F.shtml link to http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1126000/1126047.stm) The Herald's article says that they will destroy the samples if your innocent. Jack's plan is to retain the sample even if your innocent. This effectively bypasses the innocent-until-proven-guilty proviso as you will have to _prove_ your innocence when they find a match: Sir, we found some blood matching your DNA profile at a crime scene. Can you account for your movements on January 20th? Ok, so you might have an alibi, but you might not. Given the (certain) police's track record when it comes to evidence, I would not like to be in the situation of not having an alibi and the police believing my to be guilty. Under Jack's scheme, the police would be able to take a DNA sample if they _suspected_ you guilty of something. Once your on their database you'll not get off it and, as the database size increases, the probability of getting a wrong match increases. I've not done the figures coz they'd all be highly speculative, but its definitely worrying. Paul. On Tue, 27 Mar 2001, Iain Conochie wrote: > Sorry about the off topic post, but it is about our part of Scotland > > http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/20-3-19101-0-26-59.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul Millar yo-yo, n. : Particle Physics Theory Group Something that is occasionally Department of Physics and Astronomy up but normally down. University of Glasgow, (see also Computer) Glasgow G12 8QQ, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Scotland +44 (0)141 330 4717 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.lug.org.uk http://www.linuxportal.co.uk http://www.linuxjob.co.uk http://www.linuxshop.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------
