Wrongful convictions represent an indelible stain on the American criminal justice system -- and on the conscience of America. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, 2,472 Americans have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. These persons spent more than 21,725 years behind bars. 

Recently two researchers from Texas State University -- Kim Rossmo and Joycelyn Pollock -- examined 50 wrongful convictions. They concluded that the conviction of an innocent person is often a product of a cascading series of errors. The detective prematurely settles on a "hunch" who the offender is, and then ignores any evidence that might contradict that idea.

This is called "confirmation bias" -- see more information in the attached article.

Which brings us to Start By Believing, which openly instructs investigators to:

• Begin the probe with an “initial presumption” of merit,
• Make sure the incident does “not look like a consensual sexual experience,” and 
• Focus on witness statements that serve to “corroborate the victim’s account.”

Aren't these methods going to worsen the problem of confirmation bias and increase the number of wrongful convictions?

Adding to the irony is the fact that the Department of Justice has spent millions of dollars over the years to promote Start By Believing: http://www.saveservices.org/camp/sbb/ 

Is this crazy, or what?