UK creating ‘murder prediction’ tool to identify people most likely to kill – The Guardian

Wouldn’t it be fantastic to be able to know if somebody would be a killer? Murder rates are on the rise, in London and other European large cities. The group of people generally seen as potential murderers may not be acurately assessed, a scientific tool may be helpful.

The UK’s Ministry of Justice says that the scheme will “review offender characteristics that increase the risk of committing homicide” and “explore alternative and innovative data science techniques to risk assessment of homicide”.

The scheme eventually lead to a better protection of the public but may also help potential violent offenders to avoid such act.

Of course, the stigmatisation of a person or a group is dangerous and may be misleading. Nevertheless, current crime statistics need improvement and refinement and a scientific approach may not be a target for discrimination and racism accusations.