Wrongful Arson Convictions and Developments in the Forensics of Fire Investigations

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Over the past several decades, the forensics underlying fire investigations have progressed from an art to a science. Fires that were previously ruled arson were in fact accidental. As a result, many defendants serving time for arson are seeking, and in some cases obtaining, post-conviction relief on the grounds of actual innocence. This video considers the impact of the new fire science on wrongful convictions with a focus on the case of Letitia (Teri) Smallwood who was sentenced to life in prison in 1972. Included are interviews with Teri’s sister Lisa Smallwood and John Lentini, a fire investigation expert, as well as Nilam Sanghvi and Josh Snyder, attorneys with the Innocence Project of Pennsylvania. The video was produced and directed by Liz Frawley, L’15; Yosha Gunasekera, L’15; and Tyler Neal, L’16.

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