Computer Records Hold Key In IMF Head's Sexual Assault Case

Hugh Pickens writes "ABA Journal reports that the chief of the International Monetary Fund may claim consent as a defense to accusations that he sexually assaulted a maid at the Sofitel Hotel in New York as defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman told the judge he believed the 'forensic evidence' was 'not consistent with forcible encounter.' Police have said the maid knocked on Strauss-Kahn's door and called out, used her master keycard to open the door, and left her work cart in the doorway, a typical safety practice in hotels. According to the police account, Strauss-Kahn emerged naked, tried to attack the maid, and then shut the hotel door when she tried to escape. The NY Times explains how the key card evidence may play out: 'If the defense for Mr. Strauss-Kahn maintains that the encounter was consensual, its version will have to accommodate the unambiguous computer record of her leaving the door propped open,' the story says."

Comments

I read that story before- and I work at a hotel

[way2trivial]

anyone know what lock system it is?

I only know the specifics of three electronic lock systems...
and all three that I know? only key swiping.. not closings or how long a door was open.
they can't even tell if the door was actually opened-- they can only tell that a key was used

as in, if I flash my key and the lock goes green but I don't open the door?
it records the key use but doesn't know I didn't open it.
if the master metal override key is used is also recorded (and even triggering that event in the memory)
wouldn't require the door to be opened (although it would be noticeable)

anyone know of a lock system that does all they suggest?

Re:I read that story before- and I work at a hotel

[Hellsbells]

I write software for card access systems.

Smaller systems can record an event when the card was swiped, when the door was opened, when the door was closed and when the lock is engaged or disengaged.
They'll also record an event if the door was opened without a successful card swipe.

Most decent electronic locks will return this kind of data.

Re:Which was it??

[BasilBrush]

First of all, does the door system really record the times of opening and closings of the door, rather than just door unlocking.

If so, then the point is not whether either side can come up with a story NOW which can explain the record. But whether the record is consistent with the initial statement they gave to the police. Maybe both are statements are consistent with the electronic record. But maybe one of them isn't. And that would be vital evidence.

Funny, I heard the same thing about their cameras

[digitaldc]

I heard on the radio the other day that hotel and city surveillance cameras were going to be the key to prove his innocence or guilt since they are virtually EVERYWHERE in New York City.
The other interesting tidbit of information is that DSK said that he would be set-up in some sort of entrapment sex scandal a few weeks before he arrived in the USA.
Makes you wonder...

Re:Funny, I heard the same thing about their camer

[JustOK]

"I'm going to be framed!" Sow the seeds of reasonable doubt before the crime.

Much Broader Implications

[bill_mcgonigle]

I'm sure it's just coincidence that on his first non-diplomatic trip to the US after denouncing the US Dollar Strauss-Kahn is found to be a perv, thrown in Riker's Island, and Geithner demands his resignation.