3 ms·

Why is the price of the test relevant?

• tedunangst 10y ago
  There's a roundabout implication that perhaps there is a $5 test that's not flawed, but the government is too stingy to pay for it.
  • gaur 10y ago
    Or even worse, government officials like the false positives because more people can then be funneled into the prison system. The fact that the test is cheap is just a bonus.
    • 24gttghh 10y ago
      Or if we were to follow Hanlon's Razor, they're just inept. However, the article talks about Justice Department seminars where: >In its curriculum, the technology center states that field tests help authorities by “removing the need for extensive laboratory analysis,” because “the field test may factor into obtaining an immediate plea agreement.”
    • dredmorbius 10y ago
      The fact that the test is cheap is a key feature. 33% positive rate, $5 a pop. After six tests (stop'n'frisk'n'test), you've got 90% chance of convictable evidence on any given party.
• dredmorbius 10y ago
  For five bucks the government buys an ironclad "we can toss at least 1/3 of those tested into the clink long-long time". Per round. Someone tests free, test 'em again for another $5. $30 (six rounds of tests) buys you a 90% chance of convictable evidence. That's a pretty sweet deal, no?