Virtually any process can be improved by use of statistics, including the law. A much publicized case that involved a debate about probability was the Collins case, which began in 1964. An incident of purse snatching in the Los Angeles area led to the arrest of Michael and Janet Collins. At their trial, an "expert" presented the probabilities listed in table below on characteristics possessed by a couple seen running from the crime scene: Characteristics Probability Man with beard 1/10 Blond woman 1/4 1/10 Yellow car Woman with ponytail Man with moustache Interracial couple 1/10 1/3 1/1000 The chance that a couple had all these characteristics together is 1 in 12 million. Because the Collises had these characteristics, the Collinses must be guilty. Do yo see any problem with this line of reasoning? Hint: The question of interest is not "what is the probability of finding a couple with these characteristics?" because one such couple has been found (the Collinses). the question is "what is the probability that another such couple exists, given that we have found one?"

A First Course in Probability (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134753119
Author:Sheldon Ross
Publisher:Sheldon Ross
Chapter1: Combinatorial Analysis
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1.1P: a. How many different 7-place license plates are possible if the first 2 places are for letters and...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Topic Video
Question
Virtually any process can be improved by use of statistics, including the law. A
much publicized case that involved a debate about probability was the Collins
case, which began in 1964. An incident of purse snatching in the Los Angeles area
led to the arrest of Michael and Janet Collins. At their trial, an "expert" presented the
probabilities listed in table below on characteristics possessed by a couple seen
running from the crime scene:
Characteristics
Probability
Man with beard
1/10
Blond woman
1/4
1/10
Yellow car
Woman with ponytail
Man with moustache
Interracial couple
1/10
1/3
1/1000
The chance that a couple had all these characteristics together is 1 in 12 million.
Because the Collinses had these characteristics, the Collinses must be guilty. Do yo
see any problem with this line of reasoning?
Hint: The question of interest is not "what is the probability of finding a couple with
these characteristics?" because one such couple has been found (the Collinses),
the question is "what is the probability that another such couple exists, given that we
have found one?"
Transcribed Image Text:Virtually any process can be improved by use of statistics, including the law. A much publicized case that involved a debate about probability was the Collins case, which began in 1964. An incident of purse snatching in the Los Angeles area led to the arrest of Michael and Janet Collins. At their trial, an "expert" presented the probabilities listed in table below on characteristics possessed by a couple seen running from the crime scene: Characteristics Probability Man with beard 1/10 Blond woman 1/4 1/10 Yellow car Woman with ponytail Man with moustache Interracial couple 1/10 1/3 1/1000 The chance that a couple had all these characteristics together is 1 in 12 million. Because the Collinses had these characteristics, the Collinses must be guilty. Do yo see any problem with this line of reasoning? Hint: The question of interest is not "what is the probability of finding a couple with these characteristics?" because one such couple has been found (the Collinses), the question is "what is the probability that another such couple exists, given that we have found one?"
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Sample space, Events, and Basic Rules of Probability
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, probability and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
A First Course in Probability (10th Edition)
A First Course in Probability (10th Edition)
Probability
ISBN:
9780134753119
Author:
Sheldon Ross
Publisher:
PEARSON
A First Course in Probability
A First Course in Probability
Probability
ISBN:
9780321794772
Author:
Sheldon Ross
Publisher:
PEARSON