Expanding Knowledge
Our efforts to free the wrongfully convicted and reform criminal justice policies require a robust analysis of what has gone wrong and how these errors can be prevented.
The Innocence Project’s science and research team uses data to understand patterns in wrongful conviction cases and conducts comprehensive reviews of research to support our reform efforts.
A top priority is improving the accuracy and reliability of forensic science. We work at the federal level to encourage a science-based evaluation of the validity of forensic disciplines, funding for research, the development of national standards for the practice of forensic science and support for judicial training. At the state level, we work to address reforms needed to ensure the consideration of new scientific evidence by the courts, including evidence discrediting previous expert testimony, and to strengthen the oversight of local and state forensic laboratories.
We also provide resources to assist researchers, lawyers and others interested in learning about wrongful conviction. These resources include statistics, data sources, literature and critical analysis and ideas for future research.