The use of junk science in the courtroom is truly a Texas-sized injustice. With convictions resulting from the use of dog scent lineups, flawed arson science, and other forms of faulty scientific evidence, our organization has organized a campaign to exonerate those who have suffered wrongful convictions at the hands of these practices. Click here to learn more.
Timothy Cole
A recent opinion issued by the Attorney General cleared the way for Governor Perry to issue Texas's first posthumous pardon to Timothy Cole, who was exonerated by the Innocence Project of Texas in 2009. Click here to learn more about Tim's case and his pardon.
Statewide DNA Case Review
The State of Texas leads the nation with more than 40 DNA exonerations on record. Our organization is currently conducting a statewide review of cases where DNA evidence could prove a defendant's innocence. Click here to learn more about our work on DNA cases.
Junk Science
Even before the television show “CSI” became popular, juries and judges have tended to believe what “scientific experts” say in criminal cases. While scientific evidence can be a tremendously beneficial crime-solving tool, the use of inaccurate and fraudulent junk science has plagued the Texas criminal justice system for years.
Specifically, junk science in Texas has taken the form of false autopsies, inaccurate evaluations of hair and fiber evidence, dog scent lineups, and the use of now disproven arson investigation techniques. The Houston Crime Lab scandal is stark proof of how “grossly misleading” reports in the areas of serology and DNA testing have also been used time and time again to win convictions in Texas.
In response to the wrongful convictions that have resulted from the use of junk science in courtrooms, the Innocence Project of Texas recently launched a campaign against this practice. As part of our junk science campaign, we hope to exonerate men and women who were convicted via the use of inaccurate and fraudulent scientific evidence, to educate the public on the nature of the junk science problem, and to point the way forward for reform.
For more information on the junk science problem, please visit the reports listed below.
Innocence Project of Texas Report Dog Scent Lineups: A Junk Science Injustice Download Now
National Research Council Report Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States
