WRONGFUL CONVICTION & POST-CONVICTION INVESTIGATIONS
Independent Investigation and Fact Development Beyond the Original Case
Post-conviction investigations require a careful, independent examination of the original investigation, the evidence developed in the case, and information that may have emerged after conviction. Westbrook Investigations & Consulting works with counsel to identify unresolved factual issues, evaluate investigative gaps, pursue relevant leads, and conduct focused follow-up investigation where additional fact development is warranted.
Re-Examining the Original Investigation
A post-conviction investigation begins with understanding what was originally investigated, what evidence was developed, and how the case progressed. We examine the existing investigative record systematically to identify factual conflicts, unanswered questions, evidentiary issues, and investigative leads that may warrant additional examination.
What We Review
Police reports and supplemental investigative reports
Witness statements, interviews, and prior testimony
Crime-scene documentation, photographs, and diagrams
Video, photographic, and other digital evidence
Medical examiner and autopsy records when applicable
Forensic and laboratory reports
Investigative timelines and sequence of events
Records and documentary evidence relevant to the case
Conflicting or inconsistent accounts
Unresolved investigative leads and evidentiary gaps
From Case Review to Focused Investigation
Reviewing the original case is only the starting point. When the existing record identifies unanswered questions, conflicting evidence, unresolved leads, or areas requiring additional fact development, Westbrook can conduct focused investigative work directed at those issues.
Focused Investigative Work
Locating and interviewing witnesses
Re-interviewing previously identified witnesses when appropriate
Following up on unresolved investigative leads
Conducting scene examinations and documenting relevant conditions
Developing and testing investigative timelines
Comparing witness accounts against physical, documentary, and digital evidence
Identifying additional records, video, photographs, or other evidence requiring investigation
Conducting targeted background and open-source research when relevant to the case
Providing counsel with documented investigative findings and recommended follow-up
Matters We Investigate
Wrongful-conviction claims
Post-conviction criminal matters
Newly discovered evidence
Witness recantations or materially changed accounts
Unresolved or previously uninvestigated leads
Cases involving disputed investigative conclusions
Cases requiring independent reconstruction of the investigative record
When Additional Investigation May Be Appropriate
Important factual questions remain unresolved
Witness accounts conflict with other evidence
Significant leads were not fully investigated
New witnesses, records, video, or other evidence have been identified
New information has developed since the original investigation
The sequence of events remains unclear or disputed
Counsel needs an independent assessment of specific factual issues