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Curated

Estimating the Prevalence of Wrongful Convictions, Virginia, 1973-1987 (ICPSR 36836)

Released/updated on: 2021-09-15

Geographic coverage: United States, Virginia

Time period: 1973-01-01--1987-01-01

This study extends research on wrongful convictions in the United States and the factors associated with justice system errors that lead to the incarceration of innocent people. Among cases where physical evidence produced a DNA profile of known origin, 12.6 percent of the cases had DNA evidence that would support a claim of wrongful conviction. Extrapolating to all cases in our dataset, the investigators estimate a slightly smaller rate of 11.6 percent. This result was based on forensics, case processing, and disposition data collected on murder and sexual assault convictions in the 1970s and 1980s across 56 circuit courts in the state of Virginia. To address limitations in the amount and type of information provided in forensic files that were reviewed in the Urban Institute's prior examination of these data, the current research includes data collected through a review of all publicly available documents on court processes and dispositions across the 714 convictions, which the investigators use to reassess prior estimates of wrongful conviction.

Curated

Simple Crosstabs

Evidence, Sexual Assaults, and Case Outcomes: Understanding the Role of Sexual Assault Kits, Non-Forensic Evidence, and Case Characteristics, 2015-2017 (ICPSR 37261)

Released/updated on: 2020-03-31

Geographic coverage: United States

Time period: 2015-01-01--2017-01-01

This project examined the role of sexual assault medical forensic exams (sexual assault kits) and other case characteristics in achieving investigative and prosecutorial outcomes in sexual assault cases. The study team conducted comprehensive reviews of over 500 sexual assault cases based on reports to police to identify evidence and case characteristics as they progress through case processing. Using statistical models, the study team predicted case outcomes using a variety of case, suspect, and victim characteristics, with a focus on the role of sexual assault exams and kits. Additionally, the study team interviewed key stakeholders in each site to supplement the case-level information, including law enforcement, prosecutors, representatives from victim service agencies, and sexual assault nurse examiners.

Curated

Outcomes of DNA "Cold Hits": Social Science Research in Forensic Science, United States, 2000-2013 (ICPSR 36518)

Released/updated on: 2021-08-16

Geographic coverage: United States

Time period: 2001-06-01--2013-05-01, 2000-12-01--2013-08-01

Through case studies in two sites, this project provides an in-depth view of the relationship between cases, DNA database hits and persons that contribute to those hits generated from two specific laboratories during two specific periods of time. It explores how well the primary Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database metric, the hit, may correspond to case-level criminal justice system outcomes and examines how an uploaded profile is an investment in both short-term and long-term investigative leads.

A two-pronged approach was designed to address these issues. First, laboratory processing and CODIS datasets was analyzed according to traditional metrics used to track CODIS utility, such as upload and hit rate per case, per profile and for different offenses and evidence types. Next, a survival analysis was conducted to describe how uploading specimens to CODIS creates hits both in the short-term (at or near the time of upload) and in the long-term.

Curated

Post-Conviction DNA Testing and Wrongful Conviction Data from Sexual Assault and Homicide Cases in Virginia, 1973-1988 (ICPSR 34306)

Released/updated on: 2013-08-29

Geographic coverage: United States, Virginia

Time period: 1973-01-01--1988-01-01

This study examined the results of new DNA testing of old physical evidence from 634 sexual assault and homicide cases resulting in 715 convictions that took place in Virginia between 1973 and 1988. The research team conducted a retrospective study using data collected from the Virginia Department of Forensic Science files, visits to three Virginia county courthouses, and the COUNTY STATISTICS FILE 1 (CO-STAT): [UNITED STATES] (ICPSR 8314) to estimate the rate at which defendants are wrongly convicted and to identify case attributes associated with such wrongful convictions.