DNA exonerations haven’t just freed innocent people — they’ve given us hard data on exactly where the criminal justice system breaks down. That data points to five recurring contributing factors of wrongful conviction, and for each one, researchers and reform advocates have identified proven fixes.
Over the past 15 years, this evidence has driven a major shift in criminal justice policy. Explore each contributing factor below to see the problem, the reform, and where Florida law stands today.
53%
of DNA exonerations involved eyewitness misidentification
1 in 4
DNA exonerees confessed to a crime they didn’t commit
45%
of DNA exonerations involved misapplied forensic science
50%+
of all exonerations involved perjury or false accusation