BBC News has been given access to ShotSpotter, the controversial US technology company that detects gunshots.
ShotSpotter's incident-review room is like any other call centre.Yet the people working here have an extraordinary responsibility.
In the incident-review room, former teacher Ginger Ammon allows me to sit with her as she analyses these decisions in real time.Ms Ammon first listens to the recording herself and then studies the waveform it produces on her computer screen."We're looking to see how many sensors picked it up and if the sensors made a directional pattern, because, in theory, a gunshot can only travel in one direction," she says.
So if the technology isn't as accurate as claimed, it could be having a disproportionate impact on those communities.ShotSpotter claims to be 97% accurate. That would mean that the police can be pretty confident that when a ShotSpotter alert happens - they are almost certainly responding to a gunshot.
But critics say that methodology has a fundamental flaw. If the police are unsure whether a gunshot has been fired, they are not going to tell the company it was wrong. Fresno has some of California's worst gun crime, and just like many other cities in America it's been gettingSure enough, a ShotSpotter alert comes through. However, when we reach the scene, no casings are found and there's no physical evidence of a gunshot.
For example, who is independently reviewing the quality of the analysts? And how often does the algorithm disagree with the human analyst?
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Furious mum fined £400 for not carrying aquarium stand inside fast enoughA MUM was left furious after being fined £400 for not carrying an aquarium into her house “fast enough”. Emma Haywood left part of the aquarium in her garden because a bad back and leg …
Read more »
Inside Paris Fury’s makeup bag – including go-to £2 moisturiserInside parisfury1's makeup bag – including £2 moisturiser that preps her skin perfectly
Read more »
Inside love story of Japan's Harry and Meghan, Princess Mako and Kei KomuroAfter facing several years of delay, Japanese Princess Mako has finally married 'commoner' boyfriend Kei Komuro and given up her royal status. Here’s the love story of the couple who are being described as the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of Japan
Read more »
Inside Coronation Street star Tracie Bennett’s life off screen and Broadway pastGet to know the Olivier Award-winning soap star away from the Corrie cobbles...
Read more »
Inside Strictly's Adam Peaty's family day out with girlfriend Eirianedd and sonStrictly Come Dancings star Adam Peaty shared a peek inside his family day with girlfriend Eirianedd Munro and one year old son George
Read more »