The Baneheia investigation has led to significant criticism directed at law enforcement, the prosecution, and the judiciary concerning the handling of evidence in the case against Viggo Kristiansen. National Prosecutor Jørn Sigurd Maurud acknowledged that the criticism aligns with internal evaluations conducted during the reopening of the case, which suggests systemic issues in handling the investigation. The committee's report indicates that there was insufficient evidence to charge Kristiansen, highlighting a potentially wrongful conviction that has haunted the victims' families for years.

Maurud emphasized the importance of broad investigative approaches and warned against the dangers of confirmation bias in law enforcement. The report from the Baneheia committee concluded that the police became locked into a singular narrative early in the investigation, which tainted the entire judicial process. This reflects a crucial turning point for how future investigations should be conducted, prioritizing impartiality and thoroughness to avoid similar miscarriages of justice.

The emotional toll on the victims' families was also mentioned, with advocates expressing the pain of knowing that the case could have been resolved much earlier. This situation brings to light critical discussions about the integrity of the judicial system in Norway and whether existing protocols are sufficient to prevent miscarriages of justice in the future.