A new book about the story of an exoneree in a high-profile wrongful conviction case, Chen Man has been published lately. The author, Dr. Wang Wanqiong who represented Chen Man during the petition procedure gives a detailed account of the journey between the initial wrongful arrest to the final exoneration, and touches upon systemic problems that lead to wrongful convictions.
Library Access and Wrongful Conviction Rectification
Originally published: Library Access and Wrongful Conviction Rectification
Publication date: December 7, 2018
Author: Rongjie Lan
Abstract: China’s Public Library Law took effect on January 1, 2018. Not only to the general public, public libraries have a special role for inmates to educate themselves and even help them get exonerated. Some American exoneration cases indicated that prison libraries contributed to the success of innocent inmates regaining freedom. The author advocate for establishing libraries in prisons in China.
Cognitive Bias and Blindness: A Global Survey of Forensic Science Examiners
Original publication: Journal of Evidence Science
Publication Date: December 2018
Author: Jeff Kukucka, Saul M. Kassin, Patricia A. Zapf, Itiel Dror
Translator: Jinxi Wang
Article Abstract: Exposure to irrelevant contextual information prompts confirmation-biased judgments of forensic science evidence(Kassin, Dror, &Kukucka, 2013). Nevertheless, some forensic examiners appear to believe that blind testing is unnecessary. To assess forensic examiners’ beliefs about the scope and nature of cognitive bias, we surveyed 403 experienced examiners from 21 countries. Overall, examiners regarded their judgments as nearly infallible and showed only a limited understanding and appreciation of cognitive bias. Most examiners believed they are immune to bias or can reduce bias through mere willpower, and fewer than half supported blind testing. Furthermore, many examiners showed a bias blind spot(Pronin, Lin, & Ross, 2002), acknowledging bias in other domains but not their own, and in other examiners but not themselves. These findings underscore the necessity of procedural reforms that blind forensic examiners to potentially biasing information, as is commonplace in other branches of science.
Evidence Science
Snapshot of the over of Evidence Science with highlighted articles from USALI’s Visiting Scholars
The December 2018 issue of Evidence Science included several articles by former Visiting Scholars, including Weijing Huang, Jie Meng, Jinxi Wang, Xiaoyu Sun, Kuibun Zhu, and Yuejun Lan. Additionally, a translation from USALI staff Chao Liu and Yuan Gao was included in the publication.
Table of Contents
(Original Chinese language Table of Contents listed below)
Empirical Study of Police Fabricated Evidence in Wrongful Convictions in the U.S. by Weijing Huang
Induce or Prevent False Confession – A Study on Reid Interrogation Technique in the U.S. by Jie Meng
Cognitive Bias and Blindness: A Global Survey of Forensic Science Examiners by Jeff Kukucka, Saul M. Kassin, Patricia A. Zapf, Itiel Dror, Translated by Jinxi Wang
A Preliminary Study of the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission by Xiaoyu Sun
Police Induced False Confessions: Risk Factors and Prevention Recommendations by Saul M.Kassin, Steven A.Drizin, Thomas Grisso, Gisli H.Gudjonsson, Richard A.Leo, Allison D.Redlich, Translated by Chao Liu, Yuan Gao
Use Evidence Collected by the Supervision Agencies in Criminal Litigation by Yuejun Lan
Road-map for Application of Interrogation Recording in “Trial Centered” Reform by Kuibin Zhu
Prevention and Redressing Wrongful Convictions in the U.S.
Originally published: Journal of People’s Procuratorate
Publication date: 2017, Issue II
Author: Ira Belkin, USALI Senior Research Fellow
Abstract: Prevention and Redressing Wrongful Convictions is a common challenge faced China and the U.S. As a research subject, it covers almost every aspect of a criminal justice system. This article discussed in the context of American criminal justice system on how miscarriage of justice occurred, what the root causes are, who is responsible for rectifying these cases, as well as responses from the legislature and policy makers.
Read the original article in Chinese.
Mechanisms and Practices of Rectifying Wrongful Convictions in the U.S.
Originally published: Journal of People’s Procuratorate
Publication date: 2015, Issue XI
Author: Barry Sheck
Translator: Zheng Li
Abstract: This article introduced the establishment and operation of the Innocence Project of New York and how DNA exonerations promoted the judicial reform in more effectively redressing wrongful convictions in the U.S. the author stressed that miscarriage of justice is inevitable and there is no silver bullet. However, the author suggested that strict evidentiary review and seeking for root causes in sentinel events are critical in preventing mistakes.