Riya- FBI investigative reports that lead to systematic bias.

– Very clear information about how FBI reports can lead to wrongful convictions against marginalized communities and how language used is very important. This presentation described the impact that FBI investigative reports can have on justice.

Andy- The death penalty and false convictions.

– Clear and informative about how the death penalty is racist and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic communities. Learned that the death penalty increases crime and does not deter crime. Death penalty also wastes money that could used for social services programs.

Anthony- Police investigative writing and its impact on justice.

– Witness tampering affects the accuracy of police investigative reports. This also affects crime statistics. In places with more marginalized communities such as in the Bronx, witnesses are more likely to be threatened. Witnesses who give wrong information can lead to false leads.

Justin- Falsified police reports reinforce injustice.

-These reports influence court outcomes, public perception and trusting law enforcement. 60% of wrongful convictions involved some form of police misconduct. Reform proposal of body cam footage review before reports are finalized and hold police accountable. Police reports hold serious power.

Daisy- One mistake- forensic evidence

Forensic odontologists can use outdated protocol which leads to many mistakes in evidence. Eyewitness errors are the highest in providing false information as evidence. Skin is one of the most unreliable types of forensic evidence used and it’s easy to get it wrong (bite marks). This leads to wrongful convictions.

Genesis- How the media target Black and Latino communities in crime reports.

-Media creates racial biases that affect public opinion and outcomes in the criminal justice system. Black and Latino people are portrayed as criminals on TV and the news. Black and Latino people are considered “dangerous” while White people who commit crimes are considered mentally ill or troubled. More likely to show mugshots of Black and Latino people and not show the mugshots of White people.

Esmerlyn- The interrogation effect.

Police officers include racial bias in their reports that cause marginalized communities to falsely serve time in prison. Emmett Till was a child who was accused of flirting with a white woman and was beaten and killed- but the White men who killed him were not held accountable. George Floyd was asphyxiated by a police officer and was killed. Interview with psychologist Lizette Jimenez claims psychologist can help interrogations be more accurate.

Giancarlo- Securities and exchange commission

Legal Ponzi schemes, money laundering and corruption. Bernie Madoff case. Government audits. Fraud examination. Financial crimes in government.

Christian Castillo- Forms of writing in the military

Psychological evaluations in the military. Homelessness among veterans. Mental illness prevalent with veterans.

Josiah- Psych Evals

Analyzing criminals, how can psych evals compare different criminals and their motives. Forensics were discovered in 1879 by Wilhelm Wundt. Insanity pleas determination. Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Kemper, BPD and schizophrenia are present in some serial killers. Abusive mothers in childhood can cause these mental illnesses. Disorganized killer’s vs organized killers. Obsessed with power and control. Killing animals can be a sign.

Shirley- Unveiling language and perception in ICE and police reports

ICE and police reports include racial profiling and biased language. This distorts justice and influences court decisions. People believe what they see in the media and news about immigrants and marginalized communities.

Kristen- The gap in legal aid in criminal law

The difference between public defender’s vs private attorneys. Many people have negative experiences with public defenders due to lack of resources, funding and less pay.  Private attorneys can have laser focus on a case vs public defenders who are spread thin amongst many cases. Private attorneys can manage their time and cases better in comparison. People are not truly receiving a fair trial when their attorney is an overworked underpaid public defender.

Argelys- Improving diagnostic justice in psychology due to bias

Why does mental health diagnosis often fail and how misdiagnosis can be harmful to specific groups of people more than others? Healthy people can be misdiagnosed with severe mental illness while killers can fake mental illness for insanity pleas. 62% of bipolar cases are missing in kids. More cultural awareness, mandatory second opinions. Accurate equitable diagnosis is important.

Daniela- police reports contain misinformation and bias

Central Park Five, an example of biased police reporting causing false convictions.

Jazmine- how legal terminology leads to criminal justice

Systematic racism in legal terminology.

Sarah- how writing in philosophy affects justice

How can philosophy be used to help the justice system? Philosophy and religion. Philosophy can undermine legal institutions.