If you found BAILII useful today, could you please make a contribution?
Your donation will help us maintain and extend our databases of legal information. No contribution is too small. If every visitor this month donates, it will have a significant impact on BAILII's ability to continue providing free access to the law.

Thank you very much for your support!

United Kingdom Journals

You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> United Kingdom Journals >> The Post Office Horizon IT scandal and the presumption of the dependability of computer evidence
URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/other/journals/DEESLR/17_5226.html
Cite as: The Post Office Horizon IT scandal and the presumption of the dependability of computer evidence

[New search] [Printable PDF version] [Help]

Abstract

The Post Office Horizon scandal attracted my interest because of my extensive experience in IT audit and software testing. I have worked on fraud investigations, and also on developing and testing complex financial systems. The Horizon case covered many issues of which I have experience. I was dismayed at the Post Office's poor control over their systems and their unprofessional conduct in investigations. However, the presumption of computer dependability, which both they, and the courts, relied upon to secure convictions, truly shocked me. All of my experience has taught me that this presumption is naive and unjustifiable. This is a personal response to the Post Office Horizon scandal.

Index words: Post Office Horizon scandal; fraud investigations; poor control; presumption of computer dependability