Botched Executions Put Lethal Injections Under New Scrutiny

carmendrahl writes: "Lethal injections are typically regarded as far more humane methods for execution compared to predecessors such as hanging and firing squads. But the truth about the procedure's humane-ness is unclear. Major medical associations have declared involvement of their member physicians in executions to be unethical, so that means that relatively inexperienced people administer the injections. Mounting supply challenges for the lethal drug cocktails involved are forcing execution teams to change procedures on the fly. This and other problems have contributed to recent crises in Oklahoma and Missouri. As a new story and interactive graphic explains, states are turning to a number of compound cocktails to get around the supply problems."

Comments

Nitrogen asphyxiation, if you must execute

[MrKevvy]

- It's completely painless and humane; one's physiology doesn't notice the lack of oxygen so the person just goes to sleep and then dies. People who were revived from asphyxia like this reported they had no idea until they woke up

- It's practically free of charge as nitrogen is 80% of our atmosphere; there will never be a shortage of it

- Because it's universally available and free worldwide it can't be banned or restricted

- It's much safer (ie nitrogen leaks are harmless assuming the area is ventilated.)