U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Eyewitnesses

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.

NIJ FY 10 ORE Research on Eyewitness Identification Procedures

Closing Date

NIJ seeks proposals to conduct research to improve understanding of current eyewitness identification practices and advance the current body of knowledge regarding how law enforcement policies and operations at the state and local levels may impact eyewitness identification outcomes. Eyewitness evidence plays a critical role in the criminal investigation process. Eyewitness evidence is not infallible, however, and the methods employed to obtain it and use...