Conviction of the innocent : lessons from psychological research /

This is an excellent book. Cutler (social psychology, Univ. of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada) and many other experts present summaries of important research on why the innocent are sometimes convicted. As the editor points out in the introduction, concern over conviction of the innocent is nothing new. What is new and refreshing about this book is that it addresses changes, based on psychological research, that can be implemented to reduce such convictions. One is encouraged to learn that some of these changes--for example, those geared toward reducing errors in police lineup identifications--have been implemented successfully on a limited basis (i.e., in certain states). This leads to an important question: why have these changes not been implemented more broadly and more systematically than they have? In the conclusion, Cutler outlines barriers to implementation. Some barriers are procedural and will require legal steps to change. Some are educational; these can be overcome more readily and, one hopes, will find their way into academic courses/programs and training programs. This reader intends to include this book on syllabi for courses in forensic psychology. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. R. E. Osborne Texas State University--San Marcos