It could imply that in a real - life situation, the state of being innocent no longer exists. Maybe there are complex circumstances in the true story that lead to the loss of innocence, such as people being forced to face harsh realities or being involved in immoral events against their will.
The Watergate scandal is an example. It was a true story where many people involved lost their innocence. Journalists who uncovered the scandal saw the underhanded and unethical behavior in the political system. The politicians involved, like Nixon, were exposed for their illegal actions. This whole situation showed an absence of innocence as it revealed the seedy side of politics that was previously hidden from the public eye.
The fact that 'Absence of Malice' is based on a true story gives it an added layer of authenticity. It makes the events and characters more relatable and believable. It also allows the audience to gain a deeper understanding of real - world situations and the consequences of actions within them.