Reps. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Dwight Evans (D-PA) reintroduced the Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act on Thursday, which would allow defendants to access the source code of software used to analyze evidence in their criminal proceedings. It would also require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create testing standards for forensic algorithms, which software used by federal enforcers would need to meet. 2

s17e12: Justice in Forensic Algorithms; The One With Retroactive Bereavement Fare Claims; Bits and Pieces

0.0 Context Setting

Friday, 16 February, 2024 in Portland, Oregon and it is cold.

I wanted to make this one short and I could not. I am sorry. Believe me, for this one especially, I am just as disappointed as you, but probably not very surprised.

1.0 Some Things That Caught My Attention

Going to try to make today a quicker, shorter one.

1.1 Justice in Forensic Algorithms

A couple of Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have this bill they’re trying to pass, the Justice in Forensic Algorithms Act1 2 3:

This is good! I have no idea if it will pass. It brings to mind the Post Office Horizon mess in the UK, where innocent people