---
title: 'Flawed Forensics, Junk Science, and Innocence'
description: 'Of the individuals identified on DPI’s Innocence List, 65 of these exonerees were wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death at least partially based…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/policy-issues/policy/junk-science/flawed-forensics-junk-science-and-innocence'
section: topics
date: '2026-04-07T11:38:00-04:00'
updated: '2026-04-24T10:18:38-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

Of the individuals identified on [DPI's Innocence List](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/data/innocence), 65 of these exonerees were wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death at least partially based upon junk science or flawed forensic science. The science used in these cases includes arson science, ballistics/tool-mark evidence, fingerprint evidence, and even hypnosis.

   ![Flawed Forensic Science and Innocence (Table)](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/0CuJt/full.png)  

   ![Type of Junk Science or Flawed Forensics in Death Row Exonerations (Bar Chart)](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/8Rjo7/full.png)  

Nearly 60% of exonerees whose convictions were based on junk science are people of color, and almost half (47.7%) are Black.

   ![Junk Science and Flawed Forensics Exonerations by Race (Donut Chart)](https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/282B6/full.png)