FDU PublicMind - October 17, 2006 Release

Background Memo

The survey is the second in a series run by PublicMind for Fairleigh Dickinson University's Institute for Forensic Science Administration to measure, among other things, public attitudes toward the criminal justice system. The statewide poll of 651 randomly selected registered voters was conducted from September 14 through September 19. One can be 95 percent confident that results from the survey are within plus or minus 4 percentage points from the general population of registered voters. However, it should be noted that subpopulations have a higher margin of error. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling error. This kind of error, which cannot be measured, arises from a number of factors including, but not limited to, non-response (eligible individuals refusing to be interviewed), question wording, the order in which questions are asked, and variations among interviewers.

All PublicMind interviews are conducted by TMR, Inc. of Cedar Knolls, NJ. Professionally trained interviewers use a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. Random selection is achieved through computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected.

Located in Madison, New Jersey, Fairleigh Dickinson University's Institute for Forensic Science Administration (IFSA) promotes 1) improved forensic science administration within the criminal justice system and 2) improved understanding of forensic science as a legal, social, and political phenomenon. The purposes of IFSA are pursued through research, education, outreach, and policy espousal.

The questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: How much trust do you have in (the)….

Police to treat all suspects equally?
Prosecutors to treat all defendants equally?
Ability of all defendants, regardless of income, to get competent attorneys to help defend them?
Ability of defendants to have their case heard before a competent and unbiased jury?
Ability of police investigators to collect and process evidence, such as DNA and fingerprints, correctly?

On the issue of the death penalty, in general, would you say you support the death penalty or oppose it?