Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: just Warren on May 21, 2020, 06:26:28 PM
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Just need more resources to actually be able to utilize the information. (https://getpocket.com/explore/item/serial-killers-should-fear-this-algorithm)
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I'm sure there's a relationship between "clearance rates" and "conviction rates," and I guess if his system works, then the system works.
But I'm uncomfortable with the notion that a mere clearance (meaning an arrest) is a "good thing" in terms of crime-solving statistics. To me, it suggests the idea that arresting people is the end game, regardless of ultimate conviction.
I realize he's generating "pointers" to people who've possibly commtted similar crimes, but somehow the line in that old movie rings a bell: "Round up the usual suspects."
Terry, 230RN
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Seems to me all his system really does is indicate whether specific crimes may be related even if they are separated by a lot of time. Since most of these will have different investigators, it makes sense that a detective a few years later may have no knowledge of a previous case. Big caveat to me is it assumes the police reports and statistical information is accurate. I am not really sure how that helps them solve the case. It just alerts them that some of the crimes may not be random.
Talking about conviction rates, I was thinking the same thing. How do they know the conviction rates back then were accurate. Maybe it was all based on bite marks and hair follicle examination.