The Price of Wrongful Convictions: 2024 Exonerations Report

In February this year, our director Vanessa Lynch met Amanda Knox (pictured above), twice convicted and twice acquitted for a crime she didn’t commit. At the Forensic DNA Forum, Tim Schellberg will introduce and comment on this riveting conversation, hosted by Chris Asplen, featuring Barry Scheck, Amanda Knox, and Charles Linehan. Together, they will discuss exonerations, wrongful convictions, and false confessions, shining a light on the crucial role of DNA technology in reshaping the criminal justice system. Advancements in DNA technology have enabled the re-examination of evidence, leading to the overturning of wrongful convictions and highlighting the importance of accurate forensic analysis.

In a recent article it was reported that in 2024, a staggering 147 people in the United States were exonerated after spending an average of 13.5 years behind bars due to wrongful imprisonment. This was according to the just-released 2024 Annual Report of The National Registry of Exonerations. Collectively, these individuals lost 1,980 years of their lives to prison, with many of these states responsible for these miscarriages of justice. The financial liability for these wrongful convictions exceeds $4.6 billion. The main causes?

Perjury or false accusations (72%)

Official misconduct (71%)

Inadequate defence (33%)

False or misleading forensic evidence (29%)

Mistaken witness ID (26%)

False confessions (15%)

WHAT CAN WE LEARN?