A toolkit for for organizers to reform forensics in their communities. Check out the full website at forensicsreform.com and download the toolkit here.
Focus Area: Accuracy of Evidence in Criminal Cases
Compensating Exonerees in the United States
This fact sheet describes how compensation for exonerees has evolved in the past several decades, including through successful litigation efforts and through the enactment of compensation legislation in thirty-nine states, Washington D.C., and by the federal government. It includes a table describing each of the state and federal statutes. Read the fact sheet.
The Impact of Defense Experts on Juror Perceptions of Firearms Examination Testimony
By Brandon L. Garrett, Richard E. Gutierrez, and Nicholas Scurich in Jurimetrics. Firearms examiners, who seek to link fired ammunition to a particular gun, have testified in criminal trials for over a century. Research suggests that such evidence is highly persuasive to jurors. However, no studies have examined the effect of divergent conclusions offered by […]
Wyldes v. Iowa
This amicus brief challenged unreliable firearm tool mark comparison expert testimony. We joined with numerous amici in arguing that traditional forensic firearms and toolmark comparisons raise reliability concerns regarding methods and applications of the methods, showing that the scientific community has carefully detailed the lack of reliability of firearms and toolmark comparisons. Read the brief
Wrongful Convictions in North Carolina: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Continued Reform
Jurisdictions that Record Police Interrogations
Most jurisdictions in the United States now record interrogations, including all federal law enforcement agencies, thirty states, and the District of Columbia. This memo provides updated information as of August 2024 about the state-level adoption of electronic recording requirements, through statutes, court rulings and rules, and police policies. By Brandon Garrett. Read the brief
Bolin v. Gittere
This amicus brief was filed in collaboration with the Innocence Project and Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Mr. Bolin has served 28 years on death row, and his conviction was based on several questionable evidentiary methods. We argue that the eyewitness testimony in his case was highly suggestive and unreliable. Read the case
AI and Criminal Procedure Rights: A Response to the National Institute of Justice Request for Input
AI and Criminal Procedure Rights: A Response to the National Institute of Justice Request for Input Brandon L. Garrett, Alicia Carriquiry, Karen Kafadar, Robin Mejia, Cynthia Rudin, Nicholas Scurich, and Hal Stern wrote this memo in response to NIJ’s request for public input regarding the response to Executive Order 14110, regarding the use of artificial […]
California v. Tidd
We partnered with Kelly Woodruff at the Complex Appellate Litigation Group to file a an amicus brief in the California Court of Appeals, challenging the reliability of firearm/toolmark evidence. Read the case
Judging Firearms Evidence
Judging Firearms Evidence For over a hundred years, firearms examiners have testified that they can conclusively identify the source of a bullet or cartridge case. In recent years, however, research scientists have called into question the validity and reliability of such testimony. In this article published in the Southern California Law Review, the authors detail over […]