About Statistics and the Law
The RSS is driving activity in this field following recent court cases where the interpretation of statistics has been of concern.
Of particular note is the case of Sally Clark and miscalculation of the probability of two cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in a family. Sally Clark has since been released and the convictions of others such as Angela Cannings and Trupti Patel overturned, following the discrediting of evidence given at their trials.The RSS expressed its concern with the Sally Clark case in the form of a media release, and a letter to the Lord Chancellor.
The Society followed this up by holding a joint meeting with members of the legal profession, police and forensic services in December 2003 to highlight opportunities for collaboration over the use of statistics in the legal process.
Further discussion of the subject was held by the RSS General Applications Section, on June 8 2004.
The Society has established a working party, chaired by Professor Colin Aitken of Edinburgh University, to address some of the main issues.
World's End trial - letter (*.pdf) to the Times and commentary (*.pdf)providing context
Unified Solutions.