Fun fact: A new meta-analysis of studies of innocence cases shows innocent clients are twice as likely to waive their Miranda rights.

Interviewing also requires that a witness overcome social norms of generally not giving lots of details. "No one wants to hear about what you had for breakfast for an hour." But in interviewing, that is the level of detail we do want.

"In interviewing, there is always the issue of a witness communication. Just because they remember something doesn't mean they know how to describe it with words." - Ron Fisher

One explanation for why some law enforcement officers are so resistant to the idea that customary techniques can and do produce false confessions - if we want to learn from our mistakes, we need immediate feedback. But feedback for officers in these cases comes yrs down the line (if it comes at all)

It's important to look for actual SBI trainings. Hybrid trainings may feel more comfortable because they're familiar, but they are not in fact teaching true SBI techniques. None of us have ever grown from being comfortable and if we care about having an accurate and reliable system, we must grow.

While many places advertise themselves as teaching Science-Based Interviewing (SBI), many places are teaching a blend of customary and science-based interviewing. That blend is not SBI and it can be difficult to tell them apart.

As the number of exonerations increase, the importance of applying science-based practices becomes clear. While customary practices were developed that produced confessions, they also produced false confessions. The idea that they produce results is no longer enough - they must be accurate results.

Today, we will learn what science has to say about the investigative interviewing techniques currently in use and what can and should be done to improve accuracy in investigations. I'll be posting important insights here for anyone following along.

Justice should be informed by data, and in this case, the data shows Missourians want fairness for Mr. Shockley, not finality above all else.

Their reasons? Doubts about the evidence used to convict Mr. Shockley, concern about judicial overreach in the imposition of the death sentence by a judge when a jury could not agree, and the strong evidence of Mr. Shockley's rehabilitation in prison.

This support holds true across all political parties: 53% of Republicans, 67% of Independents, and 79% of Democrats all support clemency for Mr. Shockley.

Mr. Shockley's death sentenced was imposed by a judge after the jury couldn't agree on punishment.

Do you have a question or comment for Tricia? You can ask it here: mailchi.mp/law.upenn.ed...

Mr. House's case opened the door one more small crack wider for those who came behind him. But as this article explains, that door is slowly being pushed closed.

This piece from @radleybalko.bsky.social puts it in stark relief. It also highlights the importance of why we must keep doing the work to push forward.

Indeed, while defendants missed their court dates in only 19% of cases, police officers failed to appear in 31% of cases for which they were subpoenaed.

The study, which analyzed data from the Philadelphia Courts between 2010 and 2020, showed that over that time frame, an essential police officer, civilian witness, or lawyer failed to appear for at least one hearing in 53% of all cases.