Stay tuned for IPMN’s upcoming CLE (date pending) featuring Greg Hampikian, whose work in the field of forensic DNA analysis played a pivotal role in overturning the murder conviction of Amanda Knox. Hampikian examined the case and found that there was no conclusive DNA evidence connecting Knox to the crime.
Official misconduct includes both police and prosecutorial misconduct. Coercive conduct and poor investigation by police can lead to wrongful convictions. Law enforcement officials have also used forced confessions, violence toward suspects, and manufactured evidence, which have led to wrongful accusations and convictions. Prosecutor misconduct includes suppression of exculpatory evidence, destruction of evidence, use of unreliable and untruthful witnesses and snitches, and the fabrication of evidence.
The Facts
Police Misconduct
In the first 74 exonerated cases:
- 34% Suppression of Exculpatory Evidence
- 33% Allegation of Undue Suggestiveness in Pre-Trial ID Procedures
- 11% Evidence Fabrication
- 9% Allegation of Coerced Witness
- 8% Coerced Confession/Admission Alleged
- 5% Other Misconduct
Prosecutorial Misconduct
In the first 74 exonerated cases:
- 37% Suppression of Exculpatory Evidence
- 25% Knowing Use of False Testimony
- 11% Coerced Witness
- 9% Improper Closing Arguments
- 9% False Statements to Jury
- 5% Evidence Fabrications
- 4% Other Misconduct
Remedies
Police and prosecutors need to be trained to avoid, and held accountability for, using improper techniques. One step would be to create disciplinary committees that would focus on the misconduct of police officers and prosecutors. In addition, the higher involvement of federal agencies could also work to limit official misconduct.
Learn about other innocence related issues.
