Wrongful Convictions, Forensic Science, and The Canadian Courtroom

Wrongful convictions represent one of the most serious failures in the criminal justice system, and forensic science often sits at the centre of both conviction and correction. “Wrongful Convictions, Forensic Science, and The Canadian Courtroom” examines how forensic evidence is generated, challenged, and interpreted within Canadian criminal proceedings—and how errors in forensic practice have contributed to miscarriages of justice.

This program explores key Canadian wrongful conviction inquiries and the forensic failures they revealed, alongside a critical analysis of the admissibility and reliability of different forensic disciplines. Participants will examine the evolving jurisprudence governing expert evidence, as well as the growing scrutiny applied to contested or discredited forensic methods.

The session also addresses emerging forensic technologies and their evidentiary implications, while providing defence-focused strategies for managing disclosure, challenging expert testimony, and engaging in post-conviction review. Designed for practitioners, it bridges scientific complexity with courtroom strategy to improve the integrity and reliability of forensic evidence in litigation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Major Canadian wrongful conviction inquiries involving forensic science failures
• Role of forensic evidence in miscarriages of justice
• Admissibility standards for expert forensic evidence in Canadian courts
• Distinction between validated, contested, and discredited forensic disciplines
• Evolution of jurisprudence governing expert opinion evidence
• Emerging forensic technologies and evidentiary challenges
• Disclosure obligations and pre-trial forensic evidence strategy
• Cross-examination techniques for forensic experts
• Post-conviction review and correction mechanisms
• Defence strategy in forensic-heavy criminal cases