Like most days, I had no intention of comment on HN today, but whenever I'm reminded of the Innocence Project[1] I'm reminded by one of the most mind-blowing moments in my life. This was in college, I had a PoliSci professor (Political Science) that stated, 'I believe that O.J. Simpson was innocent.' To add context, this professor was an older, white male, however that's not the mind-blowing bit. That bit comes later. Let's face it, in the US, one's opinion on the OJ Simpson verdict varies greatly by one's ethnicity. As a (much) younger, white male, I held the stereotypical view point that he was guilty, so the professor's statement rapt my attention. I can't remember his arguments specifically, but it was enough for me to doubt my own assumptions and read about the trial myself. My "mind-blowing" moment came when I switched my opinion from "clearly guilty" to "I think OJ Simpson was guilty, but I'm not confident enough to convict him."
While the details of that case are fascinating, that's not the purpose of this comment. The tie-in to OP's comment is this, the Innocence Project was started by Barry Scheck[2] and Peter Neufeld[3] in 1992. Both Scheck and Neufeld were instrumental members on Simpon's "Dream Team"[4] responsible for discrediting the DNA evidence. If you remember the constant media coverage of the trial, Scheck was the attorney responsible for questioning forensic experts and the LAPDs collection practices. Again, I don't want to get into particulars of the case, but their arguments are very convincing (to me).
Obviously, the project was started prior to the OJ Simpson trial (in 1995) and regardless of one's opinion of Simpson's innocence, I think that most people will agree that single case led to increased scrutiny of forensic evidence and a reduction of importance placed on unreliable eyewitness testimony are a net positive to the world.
While the details of that case are fascinating, that's not the purpose of this comment. The tie-in to OP's comment is this, the Innocence Project was started by Barry Scheck[2] and Peter Neufeld[3] in 1992. Both Scheck and Neufeld were instrumental members on Simpon's "Dream Team"[4] responsible for discrediting the DNA evidence. If you remember the constant media coverage of the trial, Scheck was the attorney responsible for questioning forensic experts and the LAPDs collection practices. Again, I don't want to get into particulars of the case, but their arguments are very convincing (to me).
Obviously, the project was started prior to the OJ Simpson trial (in 1995) and regardless of one's opinion of Simpson's innocence, I think that most people will agree that single case led to increased scrutiny of forensic evidence and a reduction of importance placed on unreliable eyewitness testimony are a net positive to the world.
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innocence_Project
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Scheck
[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Neufeld
[4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Team_(law)
Additional Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson_murder_case
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson