What is the Process of Death by Hanging?

In late 2006, Saddam Hussein, the former leader of Iraq, was executed by hanging for his role in the 1982 killings of 148 individuals in Dujail, Iraq. Although capital punishment remains legal in numerous countries, hanging has often been replaced by methods such as lethal injection, which some argue is a more humane approach. Surprisingly, modern hanging techniques can result in one of the fastest and least painful forms of execution.

The contemporary approach to judicial hanging is known as the long drop. This technique was employed in the execution of Saddam Hussein. In this method, officials determine the appropriate drop distance to ensure the subject's neck is broken, based on factors like weight, height, and build. Lighter individuals require a longer drop to achieve the intended outcome.

The purpose of the long drop method is to generate sufficient momentum for the body after the trapdoor opens, creating 1,000 to 1,250 foot-pounds of force on the neck when the noose tightens. This drop distance typically ranges from 5 to 9 feet (1.5 to 2.7 meters). With the noose's knot positioned on the left side of the neck beneath the jaw, the sudden force at the end of the drop is sufficient to fracture or dislocate the neck bone known as the axis, effectively severing the spinal cord. In certain instances, the executioner pulls the rope upward at the exact moment the drop concludes to ensure the break occurs.

The concept of a 'humane hanging' was introduced by Samuel Haughton, an Irish mathematician and physician. He determined the precise distance a prisoner should fall and then be abruptly halted by the rope to ensure a swift and relatively painless death. Haughton shared his research in 1866.

As of 2020, 55 countries retained the death penalty, as reported by Amnesty International. However, the majority of executions were concentrated in five nations: China, Iran, Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Iran leads in executions by hanging, but countries like Bangladesh, Botswana, Egypt, India, Iraq, South Sudan, and Syria also carried out hangings in 2020. Additionally, hanging is a legal execution method in Afghanistan, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Palestinian Authority, and Sudan.

In the United States, judicial hanging remains legal in Washington state and Delaware. Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, three inmates have been executed by hanging, with the most recent occurring in 1996. We will explore how an 'ideal hanging' or long drop functions, as well as the outcomes of a 'short drop.'

How Hanging Kills the Victim

In an 'ideal long drop,' the prisoner's neck fractures and the spinal cord is severed, causing blood pressure to plummet instantly, and the individual loses consciousness. Brain death follows within minutes, with full death occurring after 15 to 20 minutes, though the person is unlikely to feel or perceive anything during this time. If the drop is miscalculated or other factors are misaligned, the outcome can result in decapitation (if the drop is too long) or strangulation (if the drop is too short or the noose is improperly positioned).

Strangulation, which can last several minutes, is a significantly more painful process. The carotid arteries, responsible for supplying blood to the brain, are compressed, causing the brain to swell and block the spinal column. The Vagal nerve is compressed, triggering the Vagal reflex, which stops the heart. Simultaneously, the trachea's compression prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs, leading to unconsciousness from suffocation. Death follows a similar pattern to a broken neck, with the entire process lasting between five to 20 minutes.

For the condemned, the hanging experience typically lasts from a few seconds to several minutes, according to forensic experts. In some nations where hanging is practiced, alternative methods are employed. In a short drop, ranging from inches to a few feet, death results from strangulation or artery compression. A similar outcome occurs in suspension hanging, where the individual is hoisted into the air rather than dropped. In a standard-drop hanging, the fall is approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters).

The outcome of the drop, whether it breaks the neck and spinal cord or results in death through strangulation, carotid-artery compression, or Vagal reflex, depends on the subject's weight and build. In traditional methods, unconsciousness typically occurs within seconds to minutes, but if it happens quickly, it is often due to chance. In some legal systems, where the goal is severe punishment or deterrence, a 'successful' hanging may intentionally be as gruesome as possible.

Suicide by Hanging

Suicide by hanging is surprisingly common despite the potential for extreme pain. While long-drop hangings aim to minimize suffering, short-drop hangings, often used in suicides, typically result in a slower and more painful death by strangulation rather than a quick neck fracture.

Hanging is frequently categorized under 'suffocation' deaths and is the leading method in this category. In the U.S., it is the second most common suicide method (28.3 percent), following firearms (50 percent), according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Hanging is considered highly lethal, with a higher likelihood of resulting in death compared to other methods. In contrast, drug overdoses are more common among suicide attempters than completers.

A Korean study revealed that while drug poisoning was the most frequent suicide attempt method, hanging was the most 'successful,' with 52.2 percent of completers using this method. Only 1 percent of completers used drugs. This high success rate likely contributes to the rising prevalence of hanging as a suicide method. In 2001, 31.4 percent of suicides were by hanging, increasing to 50.5 percent by 2012, according to the study.

Between 2000 and 2010, suicide rates in the U.S. rose by 16 percent, largely due to an increase in hanging deaths, as reported in a 2013 study. The study noted, "Suicide by hanging/suffocation surged by 104% among individuals aged 45–59 years and showed consistent growth across all age groups except those aged 70 and above." The method has also gained attention due to the tragic deaths of prominent figures, including chef Anthony Bourdain, actor Robin Williams, designer Kate Spade, and fashion icon Alexander McQueen. Despite its growing visibility, hanging remains an excruciating way to die.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.