I’ve been looking into the old “paper, scissors, stone” game and discovered a fascinating history going back to the days of ancient Chinese warlords.

They apparently often faced off in this high-speed contest of opposing hand signals.

It’s now played for fun, of course, by children.

Or to decide simpler things, such as who kicks off in my grandson’s Aberdeen football league.

But instant decisions of a life-or-death nature face frontline police officers all the time.

When they mess up, and their actions are brought into question, everything is so much more magnified – as the damage left behind can be catastrophic.

On such occasions, public interest is far more intense, but is public accountability being served properly?

Unfortunately, the police are not always as transparent as they should be – usually playing things close to their chest.

For example, we might be told “appropriate measures” are being taken internally, but that’s the last we hear of it.

Luckily, we have our system of open and transparent justice to thank for filling in some of the essential gaps in the most controversial cases.

When courts pick over the forensic details of embarrassing lawkeeping gaffes in dangerous incidents, serious potential failings are........

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