The document discusses six major causes of wrongful convictions:
1. Eyewitness misidentification, which accounts for 72% of overturned convictions through DNA testing. Memories can be malleable and influenced by various factors.
2. False confessions, which are surprisingly common and often caused by coercive interrogation techniques.
3. Informants and snitches, as they may provide false testimony in exchange for incentives from the prosecution.
4. Faulty forensic science, as some forensic techniques lack scientific basis and lead to incorrect conclusions.
5. Government misconduct such as hiding evidence or using coercive interrogation tactics.
6. Inadequate defense counsel who fail to properly investigate cases or present ex