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Does the device work as intended?
It's appropriate for the defense to be certain that the device used to obtain evidence works as intended. So they should be allowed to review maintenance records, even test it to assure that it meets established specifications.

Buyers of many devices that must work accurately have labs test each device sold before it's put into use. Regulators use those results as documentation.

Inventions are also tested before they're allowed on the market to assure they do what they say they do when functions as important as legal evidence are involved.

So "accountability" can be met by assuring that all the proper procedueres have been followed, and even investigating to assure that the performance of a given device is not likely to have deteriorated.

But why reinvent the wheel?

Looking at the code only rechecks the process that must occur before a device can be used. So I don't see the point.

You wrote:
The need to maintain an accountable criminal justice system heavily outweighs the rights for a company to keep trade secrets as intellectual property. If the company wants to horde IP, then it has the right and the choice to not manufature these devices and enter some other lines of business.

Hoarding IP?
That's what gives the design value compared with competitors.

Let someone make money from software. It's the right thing to do.
Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 11/04/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Go straight to the blood test  John Zern | 11/03/05
Depending on the test..  Patrick Jones | 11/04/05
How do you think they test the blood?  Sir_Chancealot | 11/04/05
You can't force a blood test  bidemytime | 11/04/05
Yes  Real World | 11/04/05
This varies by state  archerjoe | 11/04/05
Actually, you can (but you shouldn't)  cdgoldin | 11/04/05
Cautionary tale from my state  bidemytime | 11/04/05
Good choice!  cdgoldin | 11/04/05
More like a fairtale  DarthRidiculous | 11/06/05
Before you go and begin believing in your rights  rhavyn | 11/04/05
Blood Test required???  BernieLyons | 11/04/05
Yes you do in NJ  DarthRidiculous | 11/06/05
I don't feel like doing that...that would hurt...  Grayson Peddie | 11/04/05
Technical information on devices used to convict someone must be public!  Root User | 11/04/05
Does the device work as intended?  Anton Philidor | 11/04/05
Sorry, I disagree.  Root User | 11/04/05
When a device must be accurate...  Anton Philidor | 11/04/05
States are interested in convictions, not accuracy  rhavyn | 11/04/05
The Courts worked...  Anton Philidor | 11/04/05
Just don't rely on the courts every time  rhavyn | 11/04/05
Faux naif argument  Anton Philidor | 11/04/05
I disagree  Real World | 11/04/05
What happened to testing?  salmon | 11/04/05
Yes and no.  Dr_Zinj | 11/04/05
finally somebody thinking "lowtech"  bongo_z | 11/04/05
Ivory tower thinking  cdgoldin | 11/04/05
Accurate?  HiRezL | 11/07/05
Forgot to mention...  cdgoldin | 11/04/05
Voting Machine are as Important  jtmort | 11/04/05
Not true, properly designed voting procedures will  Update victim | 11/04/05
But what if ...  cdgoldin | 11/04/05
They can and do force blood test  rhavyn | 11/04/05
Driving NOT a privilege  WCarlS | 11/04/05

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