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Quadro Tracker (en.wikipedia.org)

submitted 1 week ago by CombatWombat@feddit.online to c/wikipedia@sh.itjust.works

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The Quadro Tracker, also known as the Positive Molecular Locator, was a fake "detection device" sold by Quadro Corp. of Harleyville, South Carolina between 1993 and 1996. Around 1,000 were sold to police departments and school districts around the United States on the basis that it could detect hidden drugs, explosives, weapons and lost golf balls. In 1996, the FBI declared it to be a fake and obtained a permanent injunction barring the device from being manufactured or sold. Three principals of Quadro Corp. were charged with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud, but were acquitted in a trial held in January 1997.

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[–] TachyonTele_Esq@piefed.social 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Scamming the cops is pretty wild. I love it.

[–] Bluescluestoothpaste@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

It's fascinating, i think they get in less trouble because the cops and school principals didn't want to admit they got scammed

[–] DeltaWingDragon@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

This is like the Theranos blood test machine!

Theranos Inc. was an American privately held corporation that was touted as a breakthrough health technology company.

The company claimed that it had devised blood tests that could be performed rapidly and accurately, while requiring very small amounts of blood, all using compact automated devices that the company had developed. These claims were proven to be false.

[–] CombatWombat@feddit.online 2 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Bananas that even when it was revealed to be completely empty inside, school officials still stood by its usefulness:

School officials in the McKinney Independent School District declined to discontinue using the device even after it was banned, saying that they hoped it would be a deterrent: "We're not looking to nail a particular kid. We're looking to send a message."

[–] historicaldocuments@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

There's a reason why all the "bureaucratic red tape" is there, normally anyway.

School officials in the McKinney Independent School District declined to discontinue using the device even after it was banned, saying that they hoped it would be a deterrent: “We’re not looking to nail a particular kid. We’re looking to send a message.”

The only message you're sending is that you're willing to participate in a lie to save face (yes, I know this was years ago), and if a few kids' lives get harmed by it, no big deal, right? The scientific method will win out in the end, but you can make it way more expensive!

[–] Bluescluestoothpaste@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

So performative idk i honestly believe it's a mental disease, people in charge of the safety of schoolchildren think they can wave a magic wand and simply declare that they're doing their jobs well.