Investigation To Exoneration: A Systemic Review Of Wrongful Conviction In Australia

Wrongful conviction is an international problem that has attracted considerable research into identifying its prevalence, causes and correlates. Australia is not void of erroneous convictions; however, the international findings do not neatly apply to the Australian context. This article considers the wrongful conviction in Australia from a wide-angle perspective of investigation through to exoneration. It considers systemic issues related to the detection, correction and consequences of wrongful conviction, identifying how and why errors may occur at different stages of the criminal justice process. The article specifically covers the investigative process and issues related to the collection and processing of physical/forensic evidence and witness evidence, post-conviction issues in the identification and correction of wrongful convictions, and the consequences of wrongful conviction for exonerated individuals in Australia.