0
Capital punishment methodology has been a long, slow, typically ineffective search for a fast, painless, humane way to kill a human. As humans have an amazing survival mechanism in place, this has proven to be extremely hard to do, with many of the "solutions" turning out to be excruciatingly painless as well as not particularly effective.
The latest in this long series of attempts is the lethal injection. Typically, lethal injection is a three-part process, with the intent being to keep the subject as calm and free from pain as possible, while still ending their life.
The first medication is typically, pentobarbital sodium (or Pentathol) (sodium thiopental). One of the barbiturates, it was previously used as "truth serum". A Hypnotic, it serves as a powerful calmative. The typical megadose administered in lethal injection is enough to render the subject deeply unconscious.
Next, a flaccid paralytic agent is administered (succinylcholine or Pancuronium). Related to curare, these agents induce sufficient paralysis to stop breathing, but it's been deemed unusually cruel to smother a criminal to be executed, so further steps are taken. Note that this medication is an acetycholine inhibitor (ACHI) and thus stops muscular contraction of non-cardiac muscle.
Finally, a large bolus of potassium chloride is administered, that depolarizes and stops the heart. Without the prior two medications, this might be extremely as well as violent. This electrolyte depolarizes the heart muscles and eventually results in asystole.
Newer methodology undergoing some review (and adopted by Ohio at the time of this writing), is simply a megadose of thiopental.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why was roman capital punishment used?
the main reason that roman capital punishment was used was to deter people from comitting crimes. hope this helps.
The first time capital punishment was used?
Capital punishment has been used since before the beginning of recorded history. No one can say when it was first used.
Was capital and corporal punishment used to control the criminally insane?
If they can really prove that the suspect is indeed insane, the judge would not allow capital punishment to be used on them.
What term is used for capital punishment?
The death penalty.
How many years has America used capital punishment?
400
Why do you think capital punishment was abolish in Jamaica?
Although capital punishment has not been used in Jamaica for quite some time, it has not been abolished and it remains a legal punishment under Jamaican Law.
Which form of capital punishment is used in Virginia?
Lethal injection or electrocution
What is a type of capital punishment for Canada?
Canada abolished capital punishment in 1976; the last execution was performed on December 11, 1962. Hanging was the only method they used.
When can capital punishment be used?
Capital Punishment is used when a criminal perpetrates a heinous crime such as aggrivated murder, federal treason, espionage, terrorism, or the use of weapons of mass destruction to cause the death of human life.
What type of capital punishment was at issue in Baze v. Rees?
Lethal Injection was the punishment used at Baze V. Rees
What crime would you have to do to get death penalty?
Except for extreme cases such as treason, we no longer use capital punishment for crimes other than homicide. We used to execute people for rape, but this is no longer the case. If you want to find out more you can read up on the Capital Punishment Debate on Wikipedia. There are references to other really good articles that go into great detail, look for scholars such as Louis Pojman or Hugo Bedau.
Difference between capital and corporal punishment?
Capital punishment refers almost exclusively to harsh punishment meted out such as the death penalty. Corporal punishment, (usually used) when referring to juveniles in school settings, refers to being slapped, spanked or otherwise struck.
