What common causes of wrongful convictions relate to investigations?

• A. Misidentification, coercive interrogation, improper lineups, false confessions, bias, faulty evidence handling.
• B. Only misidentification.
• C. Only bias in investigations.
• D. Perfect evidence handling.

Answer: (A)

Investigative errors underpin many wrongful convictions. Eyewitness misidentification is especially influential because memory can be unreliable, particularly under stress or from poor viewing conditions. The way lineups are designed and administered matters—a lineup that is suggestive or conducted poorly makes it far more likely for an innocent person to be identified. Coercive or manipulative interrogation practices can pressure a suspect into false confessions, especially after lengthy questioning or deceptive tactics. Investigator bias can also distort the investigation, leading to tunnel vision and biased interpretation or collection of evidence. Faulty evidence handling, including mistakes in preserving or documenting forensic materials and breaking the chain of custody, can introduce or retain misleading information. Put together, these factors reflect how the investigative process itself can generate or reinforce wrongful convictions, which is why a broad range of investigative errors is the best answer. Focusing on a single factor misses the interconnected ways these issues can arise and compound each other.