From EPIC.org: Privacy Advocate Betty Ostergren has won in federal appeals court in her challenge to a state law designed to prosecute her for drawing attention to the state’s online publication of SSNs. In Ostergren v. Cuccinelli, the court ruled that the Commonwealth of Virginia may not prosecute Ostergren for publishing the SSNs of state…
Category: Court
Bronx Co. applies the wrong burden of proof making defendant prove no PC for warrantless arrest
John Wesley Hall climbs back up on the soap box to remind people where the burden of proof lies in a warrantless arrest: Defendant failed in his burden of showing that the police lacked probable cause to arrest him without a warrant. People v Bulgin, 2010 NY Slip Op 20290, 2010 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 3257…
In Fighting Crime, How Wide Should a Genetic Net Reach?
Natasha Singer reports: It’s the latest criminal investigation technique, and it gives new meaning to that old saw “the ties that bind.” Recently, forensic scientists in California used a genetic analysis procedure called “familial searching” or “kinship searching” to help the police identify a suspect in the “Grim Sleeper” serial murder case — and they…
UK: West Midlands cop resigns after snooping on ex-schoolmates
Jeanette Oldham reports: A police community support officer has been forced to resign after being caught checking the criminal records of ex-school friends. Samantha Harron, 22, was also fined £200 after she admitted using the Police National Computer for snooping. As well as checking on former schoolmates, the West Midlands officer also carried out checks…