The Post Office Horizon IT scandal and the presumption of the dependability of computer evidence

Digital Evidence and Electronic Signature Law Review ◽

10.14296/deeslr.v17i0.5226 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 49-70

Author(s):

James Christie

Keyword(s):

Software Testing ◽

Post Office ◽

Financial Systems ◽

Poor Control ◽

Extensive Experience ◽

Testing Complex ◽

It Audit ◽

Horizon Case

The Post Office Horizon scandal attracted my interest because of my extensive experience in IT audit and software testing. I have worked on fraud investigations, and also on developing and testing complex financial systems. The Horizon case covered many issues of which I have experience. I was dismayed at the Post Office’s poor control over their systems and their unprofessional conduct in investigations. However, the presumption of computer dependability, which both they, and the courts, relied upon to secure convictions, truly shocked me. All of my experience has taught me that this presumption is naïve and unjustifiable. This is a personal response to the Post Office Horizon scandal. Index words: Post Office Horizon scandal; fraud investigations; poor control; presumption of computer dependability

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Software testing practices in critical financial systems transformation

2013 The International Conference on Technological Advances in Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering (TAEECE) ◽

10.1109/taeece.2013.6557307 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Fatma Molu

Keyword(s):

Software Testing ◽

Financial Systems ◽

Testing Practices ◽

Systems Transformation

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Testing Complex and Dynamic Business Processes

Handbook of Research on Complex Dynamic Process Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-669-3.ch020 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 470-485

Author(s):

Krishnendu Kunti ◽

Bijoy Majumdar ◽

Terrence Bernard Dias

Keyword(s):

Software Testing ◽

Business Process ◽

Business Processes ◽

Computer Systems ◽

Computer Software ◽

Testing Methodology ◽

Process Testing ◽

Testing Tool ◽

Testing Complex ◽

Business Changes

In this chapter we deal with testing of business processes implemented using computer systems. We have discussed challenges associated with business process testing, identified aspects of business processes that need to be tested and capabilities that the testing tool(s) or environment should have in order to perform such testing. The chapter also discusses a commonly used software testing methodology in light business process testing for provisioning of structured mechanism for business process testing. One of the aspects of managing complex and dynamic business processes is making sure that the process delivers what is required of it at all times. Dynamics of the business may require frequent changes in the business process and whenever such changes takes place there is a need to test the process thoroughly to ascertain that the process is still working according to the requirements laid down for it. This becomes even more important if the business process is implemented using computer systems since over a period of time the computer software becomes more prone to error as it is updated frequently to accommodate the business changes hence the requirement for testing complex business processes.

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