Re: Unprofessional
Not in all cases. If you wish to search it, the term is misprision of a crime.
Currently in the UK you commit a crime for failing to report: Suspected money laundering in a regulated sector, suspected financial offences related to terrorism in either regulated sectors or general employment, information about an act of terrorism, crimes of a sexual or abusive nature to children or vulnerable adults in your household (which includes when an adult stands in loco parentis).
Prior to 1967 in the UK, there was a common law offence of misprision of a felony. Some US states still have such laws.
There are certain obligations one has as a citizen, such as to serve on a jury, to stop when requested by a police office, to assist a police officer in the course of their duties if requested (this is a weird one that is still being tested in court in relation to angry mobs).
There are still exceptions, such as the spousal evidence rule (excepting where there is violence, abuse or sexual abuse within the household), and the professional privilege rules.
So all in all, it's a tricky one to decide the legal obligations. Certainly if one stumbles across something totally heinous, such as child abuse images, a rape in progress, GBH in progress etc. then one definitely has a moral obligation, as viewing these without taking action would imply tacit approval of the crimes and make you a party to them.
I have a feeling that the law lords aren't done with this one yet!
Biting the hand that feeds IT
