False guilty pleas
People may plead guilty to avoid harsher sentences — even when they are innocent.
Tunnel vision
When investigators focus solely on one suspect, they may ignore other evidence that could prove innocence.
Systemic discrimination
Race, class, and systemic bias increase the risk of wrongful convictions for marginalized communities.
Errors & evolution of forensic science
Outdated or flawed forensic methods have contributed to many wrongful convictions.
Informant testimony
Jailhouse informants often provide unreliable testimony in exchange for deals or reduced sentences.
Professional misconduct
Police, prosecutors, or forensic experts may act improperly, intentionally or not, leading to miscarriages of justice
Eyewitness identification
Eyewitnesses can be wrong — memory is fragile, and factors like stress or bias can lead to misidentification.
Errors & evolution of forensic science
DNA analysis was introduced to the criminal justice system in the 1980s and has helped exonerate many innocent people. The results of forensic analysis techniques such as hair microscopy, bite mark comparisons, firearm tool mark analysis, shoe comparisons and blood typing that were accepted as reliable early on are now under serious scrutiny. Many have been found to be unreliable and inadmissible as evidence. Reliable forensic techniques are still subject to human interpretation and identification, so there is always the potential for error.
Connected case
Hair microscopy evidence played a role in the wrongful conviction of James Driskell. It was argued that three hairs found in James’ van matched those of the victim, suggesting that James had forced the victim into his vehicle which he took to the murder site. DNA testing later reveled that the hairs thought to be the victim’s were not.
James Driskell’s
story
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