A Picture Says A Thousand Words: Applying FOIA\u27s Exemption 7(C) to Mug Shots

(Excerpt) This Note argues that Exemption 7(C) of the Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ), which exempts from disclosure information compiled for law enforcement purposes that could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, should be categorically applied to mug shots. Part I of this Note explores the recognition of a privacy right and the regulation of public records in the United States, with a focus on FOIA. Part II discusses the conflicting viewpoints held by the circuit courts that have decided whether or not Exemption 7(C) applies to mug shots. Each court analyzed whether a personal privacy interest is implicit in a mug shot and whether the public has a substantial interest in disclosure of mug shots. Then, Part III emphasizes that, by analyzing FOIA\u27s legislative history and how other courts have interpreted the Exemption 7(C) privacy interest, a privacy interest exists in mug shots. Part III also discusses why policy considerations strengthen the argument for keeping mug shots confidential. Additionally, Part III explains that if there is a public interest in mug shots, then the interest is minimal and disclosure without consent is unwarranted. Finally, Part IV urges Congress to enact a categorical exemption for mug shots, such that a mug shot will only be released in two situations: (1)to the subject of the mug shot when the subject makes a request for it, or (2) to the public if the subject of the mug shot consents to release

A Picture Says A Thousand Words: Applying FOIA\u27s Exemption 7(C) to Mug Shots

(Excerpt) This Note argues that Exemption 7(C) of the Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ), which exempts from disclosure information compiled for law enforcement purposes that could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, should be categorically applied to mug shots. Part I of this Note explores the recognition of a privacy right and the regulation of public records in the United States, with a focus on FOIA. Part II discusses the conflicting viewpoints held by the circuit courts that have decided whether or not Exemption 7(C) applies to mug shots. Each court analyzed whether a personal privacy interest is implicit in a mug shot and whether the public has a substantial interest in disclosure of mug shots. Then, Part III emphasizes that, by analyzing FOIA\u27s legislative history and how other courts have interpreted the Exemption 7(C) privacy interest, a privacy interest exists in mug shots. Part III also discusses why policy considerations strengthen the argument for keeping mug shots confidential. Additionally, Part III explains that if there is a public interest in mug shots, then the interest is minimal and disclosure without consent is unwarranted. Finally, Part IV urges Congress to enact a categorical exemption for mug shots, such that a mug shot will only be released in two situations: (1)to the subject of the mug shot when the subject makes a request for it, or (2) to the public if the subject of the mug shot consents to release

Mammy\u27s precious pickaninny

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/2078/thumbnail.jp

Cherie, I Love You

With Ukulele arrangement. Contains advertisements and/or short musical examples of pieces being sold by publisher.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/7060/thumbnail.jp

Traumatic rhabdomyolysis (crush syndrome) in the rural setting

Background. Patients with traumatic rhabdomyolysis (crush syndrome)(CS) secondary to community beatings commonly present to a rural emergency department that has limited access to dialysis services. We describe a retrospective study of patients admitted with a diagnosis of CS to the emergency department of a government hospital in rural KwaZulu-Natal, between November 2008 and June 2009. Objectives. We assessed identification and management of these patients, considering: (i) early adverse parameters used to identify poor prognosis, (ii) the importance of early recognition, and (iii) appropriate management with aggressive fluid therapy and alkaline diuresis to prevent progression to renal failure. Methods. Diagnosis was based on clinical suspicion and haematuria. Exclusion criteria included a blood creatine kinase level <1 000 U/l on admission. Data captured included demographics, the offending weapon, time of injury and presentation to hospital, and admission laboratory results. Outcome measures included length of time in the resuscitation unit, and subsequent movement to the main ward or dialysis unit, discharge from hospital, or death. Results. Forty-four patients were included in the study (41 male, 3 female), all presenting within 24 hours of injury: 27 were assaulted with sjamboks or sticks, 43 were discharged to the ward with normal or improving renal function, and 1 patient died. Conclusions. Serum potassium, creatinine, and creatine kinase levels were important early parameters for assessing CS severity; 43 patients (98%) had a favourable outcome, owing to early recognition and institution of appropriate therapy – vital in the absence of dialysis services.S Afr Med J, 2012;102:37-3

The effectiveness of the South African Triage Score (SATS) in a rural emergency department

Background. The Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) is used to monitor medical inpatients in hospitals in the developed world. The South African Triage Score (SATS) was developed from the MEWS, and its use throughout South Africa has been proposed. Objectives. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the SATS in an emergency department (ED) in a rural setting in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study undertaken over a 1-month period in June 2009 of patients in the ED of a government hospital in rural KZN, the referral centre for 22 peripheral hospitals. Data capture included physiological parameters, mobility and trauma scores, a list of selected clinical conditions (physician discriminator list), MEWS and SATS scores, final clinical diagnosis, and outcome in the ED (death, hospital admission or discharge). Outcome measures were under- and over-triage rates according to both systems. Results. Over the study period, 589 patients were triaged and their data analysed. The MEWS under-triaged 15.1% (over-triaged 8.3%) of cases that needed admission, compared with an undertriage rate of 4.4% (over-triage rate 4.3%) when the SATS was used. Conclusion. Our study supports use of the SATS as a primary triage score in South African urban and rural hospitals. The SATS is superior to the MEWS as a triage scoring system in a rural hospital ED in KZN, its rates of under- and over-triage falling within the limits of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACSCOT) guidelines

Smart Bike Rack

With more and more people turning to bicycles as their main method of transportation every year, bike theft has become a pressing problem all around the world. Every year, millions of bicycles are stolen due to how ineffective current locking mechanisms are at protecting all the main components of a bike. Furthermore, the inefficiency of these locking mechanisms and the fear of bike theft continues to discourage potential users from buying a bike and using it to commute on a daily basis. Our team constructed a proof of concept for an automatic Smart Bike Rack which employs a three-point locking mechanism, ensuring that a user wastes the least amount of time and energy securing the bike as well as protecting it from theft entirely

Between stigma and pink positivity: women’s perceptions of social interactions during and after breast cancer treatment

This study explores women’s perceptions of social interaction during and after their treatment for early stage breast cancer. Analysis of interviews with 24 women between 6 months-29 years post-diagnosis, reveals that interactions can be influenced by conflicting public discourses surrounding breast cancer. For example, there is the continuing association of cancer with death and the resulting potential for a stigmatised identity (Goffman, 1963). In contrast is the ultra-positive discourse around cancer survivorship, with breast cancer in particular being associated with pink campaigning and a push towards positive thinking. Participants described ‘managing’ conversations during treatment; sometimes playing down their ‘private’ suffering and presenting a positive (‘public’) image rather than risk alienating support. After treatment they were encouraged to move on and get back to ‘normal’. Whilst other breast cancer patients/survivors were often good sources of support, there was also a danger of assuming that all experiences will be the same. We present data to illustrate that women often present ‘public’ accounts which are driven by an expectation of positivity and fear of stigmatization at all stages of breast cancer treatment and beyond