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Eyewitnesses

Cognitive Science and the Law

Date Published
2007
Publication Type
Research (Applied/Empirical), Report (Study/Research), Report (Grant Sponsored), Issue Overview
Agencies
NIJ-Sponsored

Wrongful Convictions: The Latest Scientific Research & Implications for Law Enforcement

March 2013

What does science tell us about case factors that can lead to a wrongful conviction? Dr. Jon Gould of American University will discuss the findings of the first large-scale empirical study that has identified ten statistically significant factors that distinguish a wrongful conviction from a "near miss." (A "near miss" is a case in which an innocent defendant was acquitted or had charges dismissed before trial). Following Dr. Gould's presentation, Mr. John R.