What has been researched on wrongful convictions and prosecutions in Latin America? A systematic review of the available literature (2010-2023).

Abstract

The article seeks to know what has been researched in Latin America on wrongful convictions and prosecutions. Drawing on a systematic literature review from 2010 to July 2023 in WoS, Scopus and SciELO databases, the article identifies a universe of 50 publications. From a quantitative perspective, the paper inquiries into aspects such as years of publication, countries to which they refer, data about the scientific community that has generated this literature, and the topics they address. Then, it provides a qualitative analysis of the content of the publications, distinguishing among those that address general aspects, factors that contribute to wrongful convictions and prosecutions, correction mechanisms, and compensation mechanisms for wrongful convictions and prosecutions. Although with limitations, the findings provide an overview of research in this area in Latin America, showing that, although scholarship is still scarce compared with other latitudes, the topic has begun to attract interest in recent years in the region.

Keywords
miscarriages of justice; wrongful convictions and prosecutions; near misses; systematic literature review; qualitative and quantitative analysis