Headline and story from the Ministry of Information Services:

[IDemo]

Software Predicts Criminal Behavior

Program Helps Law Enforcement Determine Who Is Most Likely to Commit Crime

By ERIC BLAND
Aug. 22, 2010

New crime prediction software being rolled out in the nation's capital should reduce not only the murder rate, but the rate of many other crimes as well.

Developed by Richard Berk, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, the software is already used in Baltimore and Philadelphia to predict which individuals on probation or parole are most likely to murder and to be murdered.

In his latest version, the one being implemented in D.C., Berk goes even further, identifying the individuals most likely to commit crimes other than murder.

If the software proves successful, it could influence sentencing recommendations and bail amounts*.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/software-predicts-criminal-behavior/story?id=11448231

* - But not be used for profiling purposes. Trust us!

[Billy Burnett]

1. Just more creative entrepreneurial opportunism.

Another American success story!

Somewhere there's some parents proud of Mr Berk's creative entrepreneurial endeavors.

[Turbineguy]

2. Actually catching

osama bin Laden would be a disaster!

[Billy Burnett]

3. Like Castro.

No Castro = no US political anti Castro industry.

--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhsvmY3Q9cY

[BeFree]

4. hmmmm

There are 435 names in DC that should be run through that program first.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. I quit the field of Social Work precisely for this reason.

In Cal. what used to be mandatory reporting of actual observed signs of abuse
became mandatory reporting of abuse we thought *could happen in the future*.

Honest.

case in point:

Mom came in for screening to enter a treatment center,was put on waiting list,
had a 4y/o child at home.
Mom stated plans to arrange child care with a relative while in treatment.
Mom wants treatment because of arrest for drug possession.

Head shrink tells me I have to report Mom to authorities because she "might" not enter treatment, she "might"continue to use, and "might" harm child.

I resigned that day. After 25 years in the field, most of them NOT in cal.
but as Cal. goes, so goes the nation.