False Positives discussed in CHANCE

[Marty]

A widely respected, ongoing discussion of probability related issues produced by L. Snell at Dartmouth reports on TIA (Total Information Awareness) as it illuminates problems associated with false positives. Also discussed is the NAS report on the high rate of polygraph false positives.

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chance/chance_news/current_news/current.html#item4

-Marty

[Fair Chance]

Dear Marty,

"Acceptable losses," "The price of security," and "Sometimes the few must be sacrificed for the survival of the many.": how many times have we heard justifications for false positives?  I think this article places some hard numbers on reality.

All I can say that it was not at all acceptable to be falsely accused.  One percent  falsely accused is one percent too many if you are in the one percent.

Such a waste of money and resources.

Regards.