Lauren Kirchner, Author at Pacific Standard

Home Archives for Lauren Kirchner

News in Brief

Negligent DNA Testing Has Affected Thousands of New York Criminal Cases

New York City's crime lab has been a pioneer nationally in analyzing especially difficult DNA samples. But the recent disclosure of the source code for its proprietary software is raising new questions about accuracy.

Lauren Kirchner

News in Brief

Lawmakers Seek Stronger Monitoring of Racial Prejudice in Car Insurance Premiums

Six Democratic members of Congress are urging Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin to appoint a director for…

Lauren Kirchner

News in Brief

Where’s the Evidence That Mass Surveillance Actually Works?

Officials are again pointing to the need for mass surveillance to take down terrorists. Here’s what we know about how well it works.

Lauren Kirchner

Environment

What We Know About the Computer Formulas Making Decisions in Your Life

When big data uses bad data, discrimination can result.

Lauren Kirchner

Environment

Your Smart Home Probably Knows More About You Than You Think It Does

A data scientist’s experiment reveals surprising information about interconnected smart devices.

Lauren Kirchner

News in Brief

The Best Defense Is a Good Offense: The Department of Justice Is Challenging Local Public Defense Programs

Court filings bring national attention to local funding issues.

Lauren Kirchner

Environment

When Big Data Becomes Bad Data

Corporations are increasingly relying on algorithms to make business decisions, and that raises new legal questions.

Lauren Kirchner

Environment

On Snake Smuggling, Lion Killing, and Fish Crimes

The Lacey Act, a 115-year-old law that seeks to protect threatened species, is still going strong.

Lauren Kirchner

Social Justice

Who Does, and Who Doesn’t, Get Drug Treatment in Prison

New research finds a racial disparity.

Lauren Kirchner

Social Justice

The Importance of Community Support for Prisoner Re-Entry Programs

To be successful, re-entry programs must work to facilitate more interaction between former inmates and potential role models in their new neighborhoods.

Lauren Kirchner