FRED A. LEUCHTER ASSOCIATES, INC.
EXECUTION BY HANGING
MANUAL
STATE of DELAWARE
Department of Correction
State of Delaware
Delaware Correctional Center
Smyrna, Delaware 19977-1597
May 1, 1990
Fred A. Leuchter Associates, Inc.
231 Kennedy Drive
Unit 110
Boston, Massachusetts 02148
(617) 322-0104
CONTENTS
Page
BACKGROUND................................................1
MEDICAL DESCRIPTION.......................................2
PURPOSE...................................................2
EQUIPMENT.................................................3
PERSONNEL.................................................5
PREPARATION...............................................5
EXECUTION PROCEDURE.......................................7
SPECIAL PROTOCOL..........................................9
APPENDIX.................................................10
DRAWINGS & TABLES
1. DROP DISTANCE TABLE
2. DIAZEPAM DOSAGE TABLE
3. PROCEDURE FOR TYING HANGMAN'S KNOT.
APPRECIATION
The author wishes to express his thanks to the Command of the
U.S. Army Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,
whose help was invaluable in the preparation of this Manual.
EXECUTION BY HANGING
BACKGROUND
Hanging has been utilized as a mode of execution for as long
as man can remember, There have been more executions by this
method than any other means. The procedure is simple; and
yet there have been more botched executions by this method
than by any other.
Essentially, execution by hanging is strangulation, effected
by restricting the executee's air supply at the neck,
unconsciousness occurring between two and four minutes and
death within ten, resulting in death by asphyxiation. This,
however, is not humane.
The correct procedure is when the executee is dropped some
distance and stopped by a rope fastened around his neck. The
force of this drop and stop breaks the bones in the
executee's neck and severs his spinal cord causing him to go
into medical shock and be rendered unconscious. At this
point the executee strangles to death. This method is the
only humane form of hanging.
The force (in foot pounds) of the drop is critical and is
determined by the physical stature of the executee, primarily
his weight. In general, the heavier the person, the shorter
the drop, and conversely, the lighter the person the longer
the drop. Generally, weights as low as 120 pounds result in
a force of some 950 foot pounds where weights over 220 result
in some 1100 foot pounds. A drop of too short a distance
will result in a condition where the spinal cord is not
severed and the executee will not go into shock and will be
conscious during the strangulation period. A drop of too
long a distance will result in decapitation. Both conditions
are not humane. In general, execution requirements will
never result in an execution where the inertia of the drop
will greatly exceed l600 foot pounds or be less than 900 foot
pounds. In all cases, it is better to utilize an established
Drop Distance Table to prevent an error or accident.
The Drop Distance Table contained herein is the established
Table utilized successfully by the United States Army for
many years. Additionally, the specifications for some of the
specialized hardware defined herein are resultant from many
years of testing by the United States Army.
MEDICAL DESCRIPTION
The executee will be dropped a distance as defined in the
Drop Distance Table and his acceleration will be stopped by
the rope around his neck. This will result in the breakage
of several neck bones and the severing of the spinal cord
within a time period of less than a second. The executee
will immediately enter medical shock. He will probably
experience one brief instant (measured in milliseconds) of
pain before he loses all consciousness and all sensation.
His body will go limp with paralysis. He will then strangle
due to the lack of oxygen. He should be brain dead in
something more than six minutes and heart dead in about
eight. The attending medical doctor will determine heart
death.
Depending upon the equipment used, there will be some
physical trauma to the executee's body. This should be
minimized by using the defined equipment.
PURPOSE
This Manual, the Protocol, Procedures and Equipment contained
herein were written and designed to ensure a competent and
humane execution. The equipment and procedures have been
taken from long-standing and well-tested protocol and changes
and improvements were made based upon expert engineering and
medical considerations. It is the author's intent to make
the execution as easy and painless as possible for both the
Executee and those persons tasked with carrying out the
execution. The Protocol, Procedures and the Equipment have
been designed to maintain the dignity of the executee, as
well as, the dignity of those responsible for the execution.
Up until very recently Execution was an Art employed only by
the "Executioner". It is only now becoming a Science with
the Training and Certification of other types of Execution
Technicians (i.e. Lethal Injection and Electrocution). Those
persons carrying out the Protocol and Procedures in this
Manual shall be Trained and Certified as Hanging Technicians.
It is further suggested (if the Jurisdiction permits) that
the Executee be tranquilized one-half (1/2) hour prior to
execution by the administration of Diazepam (Valium) as per
the dosage table.
EQUIPMENT
The following items are required for a competent hanging.
1. A Gallows should be utilized having the following basic
characteristics.
A. A floor height of at least nine (9) feet to allow
for a minimum clearance of about one (1) foot on
the drop.
B. A crossbeam height of nine (9) feet giving an
approximate clearance of three (3) feet above the
executee.
C. An opening and trap door of at least three (3)
feet square to allow proper clearance for the
executee.
D. Means of releasing the trap door. This is
normally accomplished by utilizing two bolts
under one side of the door which are actuated by
a common mechanism, either linkage rods or cable.
E. Means for stopping the trap door swing after it
has fallen. This is normally accomplished
utilizing a mechanical metal spring catch or a
counterweight and a "rope grabber".
F. An eyelet or fastening mechanism for the rope
containing the Hangman's Noose.
2. Body Restraint. This is a waist strap containing two (2)
wrist restraints. It is fabricated from 3000 lb. test
nylon aircraft webbing two (2) inches wide and is fifty
(50) inches long. It contains three (3) quick release
fasteners (one [1] for the waist and one [1] for each
wrist) all of which are adjustable from each side. The
color is black with chrome fasteners.
3. Leg Restraint. This is an ankle strap which binds both
ankles together. It is fabricated from 3000 lb. test
nylon aircraft webbing two (2) inches wide and is thirty-
six (36) inches long. It contains one (1) quick release
fastener which is adjustable from both sides. The color
is black with chrome fasteners.
4. Collapse Frame. This is a six by thirty (6 X 30) inch
frame fabricated of square steel tubing. It contains
three (3) body restraints measuring fifty (50) inches
long by two (2) inches wide which are made from 3000 lb.
test nylon aircraft webbing and contain three (3) quick
release fasteners adjustable from both sides. (One [1]
for each restraint.) The color of the frame and webbing
is black and the fasteners are chrome. This is used in
the event of a physical collapse by the executee and
enables the personnel conducting the execution to
transport him to the scaffold.
5. Hood. The hood is fabricated of black denim and has
split sides enabling it to extend onto the chest and
back. It is generally used, optionally, to cover the
face of the executee. A similar hood is available for
the executioner but has a hole for the eyes.
6. Mechanical Hangman's Knot. This is fabricated from a
delrin cylinder and has two (2) longitudinal holes and a
steel U-clamp to fasten the rope. It comes with a black
denim cover which is fastened with velcro. It is a
replacement for the Conventional Hangman's Knot to
eliminate the problems in tying the knot. It, unlike the
Conventional Hangman's Knot, never binds in operation.
7. Noose Sleeve. This is fabricated of denim and fastened
with velcro. It is utilized to prevent tissue damage at
the neck.
8. Rope. Standard hangman's rope of three-quarter (3/4)
inch Manila hemp is available in thirty (30) foot
lengths. This rope has been boiled and stretched in
drying to eliminate all spring, stiffness or tendency to
coil. The rope is also available in six-hundred (600)
foot coils but cannot be treated when supplied thus.
9. Knot Lubricant. Knot lubricant must be used whether
utilizing the Mechanical or Conventional Hangman's knot.
With the Mechanical Hangman's Knot, silicone spray is
recommended. With the Conventional Hangman's Knot,
melted paraffin is recommended.
PERSONNEL
Personnel for the Execution must consist of the following
persons:
A. One (1) or more Certified Hanging Technicians.
B. One (1) Executioner.
Additional Personnel:
C. One (1) or more attendants or guards.
At least three (3) persons from the above categories are
necessary to conduct the execution. Ideally, six (6)
persons: two (2) Certified Hanging Technicians, three (3)
attendants or guards, and one (1) Executioner would result in
an easier execution. The Hanging Technicians, only, will do
makeready, test and bind the Executee. The Executioner need
not have any special training, as his only function is to
release the trap door.
PREPARATION
The following procedure should be used in makeready for the
gallows prior to the execution. This should be done several
days prior to the execution by a Certified Hanging
Technician.
Determine the Rope Length for the particular executee.
Employ the following formula for this determination and in
the event of a multiple execution test with the requirements
for the lighter executee and the longer drop. After the
first execution, the Rope Length should be shortened for the
next execution. Since the test was for the lighter executee,
the trap door may be considered to function with the greater
weight of the second executee.
Rope Length = (S - C) + Drop Distance
Where: S = Scaffold Crossbeam Height from Scaffold Floor
C = Executee's Chin Height
Drop Distance = the distance the executee is
dropped
Rope Length = distance of the executee's drop + the
distance of his chin from the
scaffold crossbeam
Note: All measurements are in inches.
1. Measure the executee's chin height from the floor and
weigh him.
2. Measure the scaffold crossbeam height from the floor of
the scaffold.
3. Subtract the Chin Height from the Scaffold Crossbeam
Height and add the Drop Distance from the Drop Distance
Table to obtain the Rope Length.
4. Mark the rope at the rope length and cut it seven (7)
feet longer. If fastener for rope is not at crossbeam
but at another location, add this distance to the
crossbeam height plus any additional amount needed for
fastening.
5. Boil the rope for one (1) hour and stretch the rope
while drying to eliminate all spring, stiffness or
tendency to coil. Dry thoroughly.
6. Either tie Conventional Hangman's Knot as per included
instructions or utilize a Mechanical Hangman's Knot and
fasten with U-clamp. Lubricate Hangman's Knot with
proper lubricant.
7. Install the Rope with the Hangman's Noose to the
scaffold crossbeam and cut off remaining rope. The rope
should be stretched tight prior to cutting and only the
Rope Length should hang below the scaffold crossbeam.
8. Oil, check and verify that all mechanical parts of the
Gallows (i.e. the hinges on the trap door and the
release mechanism) are functioning properly.
9. Fill two (2) sandbags with the equivalent weight of the
executee (half in each bag) and fasten the bags together
at the tops. Open the Noose and slip it over one of the
bags and tighten it at the point where the bags are
fastened together. You are now ready to test the
gallows.
10. Close the trap door and reset the trip mechanism. Stand
on the door to make sure it is secure. Place the
sandbags on the door and loop the rope in such a fashion
as to prevent any crimping or catching. Test the
gallows repeatedly (at least twelve [12] times) to
insure proper mechanical operation of the trap door and
that the rope is secure and will not break.
11. You are now prepared for the execution.
EXECUTION PROCEDURE
Note: The following procedure should be completed by a
Certified Hanging Technician.
1. Install the Noose Sleeve and, if using a Mechanical
Hangman's Knot, install the cover for the Knot.
2. Install the Body Restraint around the Executee's waist
and tightly bind his wrists to the restraint. (His arms
may be restrained either in the front or the back.) If
necessary, utilize the Collapse Frame.
3. Bring the Executee to the Execution location and up the
stairs to the scaffold. Remove the Collapse Frame, if
utilized.
4. Place Executee on the trap door and conduct the legal
formalities.
5. Bind the Executee's legs with the Leg Restraint. Place
the Hood over the Executee's head, if used. Place the
Hangman's Noose over the Executee's head and tighten
snugly around his neck. Place the Hangman's Knot
directly behind the Executee's left ear.
6. All Hanging Technicians shall leave the scaffold and the
Executioner, on order from the Warden, shall release the
trap door.
7. The Trap door shall open and the Executee shall drop. On
order from the Warden some eight minutes after the
release mechanism was thrown, the attending doctor shall
examine the Executee for heart death.
8. After the pronouncement of death, the Hanging Technicians
shall, while supporting the Executee, loosen and remove
the Noose and Hood and set the Executee on the floor.
Thereupon, the Hanging Technicians shall remove the Leg
and Body Restraints. The Executee shall be placed in a
body bag for removal.
STATE of DELAWARE
DELAWARE CORRECTIONAL CENTER
EXECUTION PROTOCOL
EXECUTION BY HANGING
The following Special Protocol applies:
APPENDIX
1.
DROP DISTANCE TABLE
Weight in Drop Weight in Drop
Pounds Distance Pounds Distance
120 or less....8' 1" 170................6' 0"
125................7'10" 175................5'11"
130................7' 7" 180................5' 9"
135................7' 4" 185................5' 7"
140................7' 1" 190................5' 6"
145................6' 9" 195................5' 5"
150................6' 7" 200................5' 4"
155................6' 6" 205................5' 2"
160................6' 4" 210................5' 1"
165................6' 2" 220 and over.......5' 0"
2.
DIAZEPAM DOSAGE TABLE
(Valium)
Note: To be used only in Jurisdictions where legal.
Diazepam Tablets USP, 10 mg (flat, round, white, scored
tablets coded WC 143) supplied in bottles of 100 # N0047-
0143-24. (Warner Chilcott)
Diazepam has a central nervous system depressant effect and
has no short term side effects which would preclude its use
as an execution anxiety and stress suppressant. Warning:
will produce ataxia (appearance of being drunk) at high
dosages and can cause death. Do not overdose or exceed the
dosages in the table. If possible, administration should be
by physician.
Weight Dosage
in in
Pounds milligram
to 160 15 mg
180 20 mg
200 25 mg
220 and above 30 mg
3.
PROCEDURE FOR TYING HANGMAN'S KNOT
Length of loops: make loop as shown from Standing Part to
Running End. A to B should be approximately eighteen (18)
inches, and from C to Running End should be approximately
thirty-five (35) inches. Wrap running end for six (6) turns.
No extra rope should remain.
Tighten wrap (loops) by pulling Running End. Lock loops and
form Knot by pulling down at point D and up on Running End.
Slide Knot up or down on Standing Part to adjust size of
Noose.
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