Introduction; Background to Sentencing for Murder in England and Wales; Public Opinion, Attitudes, Media Influence and the Mandatory Life Sentence for Murder; What is Public Opinion and How is it Conceptualised?; How is Public Opinion Properly Measured?; How is Public Opinion Influenced by the Media?; What Measures of Public Opinion on the Mandatory Life Sentence for Murder are Currently Available and what Conclusions Have Been Drawn from the Evidence?; Knowledge; Public attitudes to sentencing in murder cases
Are the Measures We Now Have of Public Opinion Valid and Reliable in Relation to the Conclusions Drawn?The questionnaire; Statistical analysis; Implications for policy and further research; Alternatives to the Mandatory Penalty; Postscript; Members of the Homicide Review Advisory Group (HomRAG)