Forensic Thoughts

If we want to know where we’re going, or where we’ve been ( Whitesnake knew where they‘d been), or just the lie of the land, we can use maps. Mostly we think of maps as being representations of terrain, to give us relative positions and routes, landmarks, and inclines. We know that the map is not the terrain, but it represents it in a useful way. It lays out possibilities, not requirements – I am not obliged to visit Tokyo simply because it appears on a world map. However, it also defines limits. Provided that I remain on Earth the only places that I can go to will be represented on a map of the earth. This is not entirely true. For some time, Area 51 in Nevada did not appear on maps, so I am told, so technically you could go somewhere not on a map, but practically you can’t as there are people in jeeps all around it and if you get too close, they will drive down and warn you off. They also might shoot you. Other places that do not appear on some maps include Billingsgate Islan...

The Parole Board , informed by experts, have decided that Colin Pitchfork should be released because he is no longer considered enough of a risk to be kept in prison. So, the people whose job it is, and carry the blame if it goes wrong, the people who have seen all the reports, the data, met the man, spoken with staff, have all that information, have made that decision. Being an expert doesn't mean one is never wrong, but it means you know more about something than most other people. Low risk doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen, but it means that the likelihood is considered to be manageable. Mr Pitchfork, now known by another name, let's call him David, won't just be released, there will be conditions on him, as that is what happens to lifers, and it's what happens to people who are considered to be sexually motivated. It is not like David will be completely at liberty, with no checks on him, no information coming in. I don't have an opinion about David...