Law, Psychology, and Wrongful Convictions

Abstract

Abstract The study of psychology in law is integrally linked to wrongful convictions. Archival research and case studies of cases in which the wrong person was convicted of a crime provide real-life examples of errors that psychologists seek to understand. In turn, psychological research, particularly laboratory studies, provide explanations for how these errors can occur, making it easier to detect and address wrongful convictions in the future. This chapter discusses how eyewitness evidence, forensic evidence, false confessions, informant testimony, alibi evidence, police technology, plea bargaining, and features of the adversarial legal system can result in wrongful convictions—and how research has led to recommendations to avoid them. However, the work is not complete, and we make recommendations for how new research can address gaps in our current understanding, especially in areas where legal protections in the United States are currently inadequate.