National Institute of Justice – Wrongful Convictions and DNA Exonerations: Understanding the Role of Forensic Science – A review of erroneous convictions that involved forensic science can help identify critical lessons for forensic scientists as they perform testing, interpret results, render conclusions, and testify in court. By Gerald M. LaPorte

“One of the greatest tragedies in the criminal justice system is the conviction of a person for a crime he or she did not commit. Erroneous convictions can have immeasurable consequences for exonerees, original crime victims, and families. Additionally, they may also have long-lasting negative effects on the witnesses, investigators, lawyers, judges, and other criminal justice professionals involved in erroneous convictions. It is therefore incumbent on us to understand the root causes of these tragic events to help ensure that injustice is not repeated…”