clipped from: www.capitalpunishmentuk.org   

Hanged by the neck until dead!
The processes and physiology of judicial hanging.


Please note! As this page contains images of real executions which some may find disturbing they must be accessed manually by clicking on the links.


Introduction


The processes of judicial hanging


Short drop


Introduction.
Hanging is the oldest but most widely used method of execution in the world today. Up to 339 men and 4 women were hanged in ten countries during 2008, a few in public in
Iran which has recently curtailed this practice. These being Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Pakistan, Singapore, St. Kitts & Nevis and Sudan. Sadly, the majority of those hanged in the 21st century have still had to die by strangulation, particularly in Iran. It is estimated that only 67 of the hangings during 2008 used a drop designed to break the prisoner's neck. Iraq seems to have adopted the American style of hanging and it is unclear exactly what method Afghanistan and Somalia use.