Italian Scientists

[Region3]

I couldn't believe what I heard on the radio yesterday about some scientists being given 6 year jail sentences for not predicting the earthquake in Italy in 2009.

I found an article about it when I got home, and they had apparently said something along the lines of... "We don't think there will be a sizeable earthquake but wouldn't rule it out".

Result? 6.3 earthquake and 7 blokes go down for manslaughter!!

I have no idea of the legal system, or anything else to do with the case. All I have is (what I used to think was) common sense.

Am I the mad one and the rest of the world is sane, or is it really as stupid as it sounds?

 

[Khamelion]

I guess it's all down to accountability and how the Italian legal system sees it. The only thing I can think of is that, the scientists have the training and have the equipment to try and predict when an earthquake will occur and as they couldn't do so reliably the legal system sees them at fault and are subsequently punished.

All seems a bit harsh punishing someone for something that may or may not happen, for which they also have no control over.

Rule of thumb: Don't get a job in Italy that carries a lot of responsibilty otherwise you could end up, in the clarts right up to your neck.

 

[sev112]

i think being manager of an english or scottish football club has a similar risk profile

 

[sev112]

or alternatively be CEO of teh BBC decades after some people didnt say what they could have but didnt

 

[USER1999]

I haven't followed this at all, but we're they not predicting that if all the water was sucked out of the ground in that area there wouldn't be an earth quake? Once some one acted on this advice, then they were liable under Italian law, along with the extractors of the water.

 

[USER1999]

Nope, I'm wrong, differnet case.
They were convicted for poor communication of their findings. Their unqualified spokesman didn't communicate the risks involved, so they all got pinged. Daft.

 

[SocketRocket]

Dont be an Italian weather Man/Woman/person.

 

[Foxholer]

I believe that it was the over-reassuring statements made by these guys - who were specifically brought in to assess the risk - that was the basis of the prosecution's case.

Blame culture gone mad imo! Michael Fish would still be in prison if it had happened over here!

Pointless now having the department responsible for assessing such risks - as no-one is going to risk a similar reaction. And a number of the department's high-ups have resigned already. Interestingly named department btw - National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Serious Risks.

 

[daymond]

The most bonkers court case and outcome I have ever read about.