The Dangers of Cross-Racial Misidentification Resulting from Interracial Sexual Assaults

• In Event: Racial Discrimination and Prejudice and Related Issues

Abstract

The cross-racial misidentification of interracial sexual assaults produces an extremely high number of eventual exonerations through the use of DNA analysis. Because the data available reveals racially disparate results, this suggests a continuing prejudicial criminal justice system. Sexual assaults are traumatic experiences, with victims often exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The reliance on eyewitness identification in these situations is fraught with error, especially when the defendant is of a different race than the victim. One way to reduce the rate of wrongful convictions is to be more cognizant of cross-racial misidentifications.

Author

• Adrienne Chikaye Kelish, Southwestern Law School