In judicial hanging, the time to lose consciousness and die depends significantly on the method used. When properly performed with a calculated long drop, loss of consciousness is typically instantaneous or within seconds, and death occurs within minutes. However, if the method is improperly applied, consciousness can be prolonged for seconds to minutes, and death by strangulation can take up to 20 minutes or more.
1. Time to Lose Consciousness
The time it takes for an individual to lose consciousness during a hanging depends heavily on the technique used:
- Long-drop method (judicial standard): This method is designed to cause immediate unconsciousness. The calculated drop length (based on the prisoner's weight and height) generates sufficient force to fracture the upper cervical spine (typically the C2 vertebra) and severely damage the spinal cord. This results in instantaneous or near-instantaneous loss of consciousness (often cited as within seconds) due to the traumatic disruption of neural pathways to the brain and damage to the brainstem.
- Short-drop or suspension method: In this method, death primarily occurs through strangulation. The ligature compresses the blood vessels and airway. Loss of consciousness typically occurs within 10-20 seconds. This is primarily due to the occlusion of the jugular veins and carotid arteries, leading to rapid cerebral hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain).
2. Time to Death
The time from the drop to confirmed death also varies by method:
- Long-drop method: If the fracture-dislocation is successfully achieved, death follows unconsciousness within minutes. The primary causes of death are a combination of severe spinal cord trauma, respiratory arrest, and cerebral ischemia. However, the body may still exhibit involuntary muscle movements (convulsions) for a short period after brain death has occurred.
- Short-drop or suspension method: Death by strangulation is a slower process. If the neck isn't broken, death can take from 5 to 20 minutes or even longer. This prolonged process involves asphyxiation and increasing hypoxia, which can lead to agonal struggling.
3. Factors Influencing Time and Consciousness
Several variables can affect the "efficiency" of a hanging execution:
- Drop length calculation: An accurately calculated drop is crucial. Too short a drop results in slow strangulation instead of a swift neck break. Too long a drop can cause decapitation, which, while causing immediate loss of consciousness, is considered a gruesome botch.
- Knot placement: The position of the knot (ideally under the chin/submental) is critical for directing force to snap the neck sharply backwards. Improper placement can prevent a clean fracture and lead to strangulation.
- Prisoner's physical characteristics: The weight, muscle mass, and neck strength of the condemned individual can influence the outcome. A heavier person requires a shorter drop to generate the necessary force, while a lighter person requires a longer one.
- Executioner skill: The experience and skill of the executioner in performing the calculations and preparations are significant factors in achieving a "quick" death.
4. Pathophysiology of Death in Hanging
The mechanism of death differs between methods:
- Long-drop: The primary mechanism is high-energy fracture-dislocation of the upper cervical spine (e.g., "hangman's fracture" of C2) and subsequent spinal cord transection, leading to immediate neural shutdown and rapid brainstem disruption.
- Short-drop/Suspension: The primary mechanisms are:
- Cerebral ischemia from compression of carotid and vertebral arteries, preventing oxygenated blood from reaching the brain.
- Venous congestion from jugular vein compression.
- Airway obstruction (asphyxia) from tracheal compression, though complete occlusion is less common than vascular compression.
- Vagal inhibition (reflex cardiac arrest) due to pressure on the carotid sinus nerve, which can cause a very rapid death but is not the most common mechanism.
5. Potential for Botched Executions
Historical records and medical reviews indicate that hangings can be botched, leading to extreme suffering. If the drop is too short or the knot slips, the prisoner may die slowly from strangulation. Signs of this can include facial engorgement, tongue protrusion, violent bodily movements, and defecation. There are also documented cases where decapitation occurred due to an excessively long drop.
Conclusion
In summary, the speed of death in judicial hanging is highly dependent on the method and its precise application:
- When the long-drop method is correctly performed, the goal is an almost immediate loss of consciousness (within seconds) due to a broken neck, with death following within minutes.
- If the hanging is performed via short-drop or suspension, or if the long-drop is miscalculated, consciousness can persist for 10-20 seconds, and death by strangulation can be a prolonged process lasting many minutes.
The pursuit of a "humane" hanging through the calculated long-drop method was a historical attempt to reduce suffering, but its effectiveness relies entirely on precise execution, and the potential for a painful and botched outcome remains.