DNA evidence has been instrumental in overturning wrongful convictions. Since the development of modern scientific tests, DNA has been used to exonerate hundreds of people who were previously convicted of various charges. Many of these individuals have been cleared and released from prison.
Research shows that the most common reason for a wrongful conviction is inaccurate testimony from an eyewitness. For example, a witness may be asked to identify a perpetrator from a lineup. If they identify the wrong person, a jury might use that testimony as a key reason for conviction. The innocent person is then sent to jail, often maintaining their innocence throughout the process.
This raises an important question: Are these eyewitnesses lying? Juries tend to believe them, as witnesses generally have no apparent reason to fabricate their statements. But is dishonesty really the issue?
Most eyewitnesses are simply mistaken
While some witnesses may lie—perhaps due to bias or personal prejudice, such as racial discrimination—most eyewitness errors are likely unintentional. People often think of their memory as being like a photographic recording, but this is not accurate. Human memory is fallible and highly malleable, meaning that what a person “remembers” can change over time.
For instance, an eyewitness may genuinely believe they have identified the correct suspect, even when they have not. It could become nearly impossible for them to sort their accurate memories from those that have changed or been influenced. These errors are unintentional but can lead to devastating consequences.
This is why DNA evidence has been so crucial in proving innocence, and why those facing wrongful convictions need to understand their legal options and the steps they can take to pursue justice.