Final answer:
The claim stating the murder rate in 2002 was the highest since the 1950s is false; this can be confirmed by reviewing the FBI's published crime statistics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the murder rate in the United States in 2002 was the highest it has been since the 1950s is false. Crime rates, including murder rates, have gone through various changes over the decades. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data, murder rates have fluctuated, with peaks occurring during different periods, such as the late 1980s and early 1990s, but not reaching the highest point since the 1950s. This can be verified by looking at publicly available crime data from the FBI, such as the Uniform Crime Report, which documents crime statistics including homicide rates across the United States.