[1/6] BBC - The Science of Killing Human Beings

Former Conservative MP, Michael Portillo pushes his body to the brink of death in an investigation into the science of execution.

As the American Supreme Court examines whether the lethal injection is causing prisoners to die in unnecessary pain Michael sets out to find a solution which is fundamentally humane. To do so he examines the key methods of execution available today: he discovers why convicts can catch on fire in the electric chair, learns how easy it is to botch a hanging and inhales a noxious gas to experience first hand the terror of the gas chamber.

Armed with some startling evidence Michael considers a completely new approach. Will it be the answer? There is only one way of finding out - to experience it himself. FAIR USE NOTICE:

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• bbc
• documentary
• death
• penalty
• execution
• michael
• portillo
• hanging
• electric
• shock
• chair
• convicts
• thugs
• noxious
• gas
• chamber
• killing
• murderer
• gallows
• trial
• judge
• jury
• criminology

[Maguel83]

Painless method of killing: explosives!

[kdavidmcd]

Just kill them with a hammer. Hire an illegal to do it for 5 bucks.

[Kelly14UK]

Hang David Cameron lol

[gsxxxrk5]

@kdavidmcd - I would take that any day of the week since I would not want to pay three times more to a citizen. Great comment.

[gsxxxrk5]

@Maguel83 - cheap too.

[tiagandremo]

the only thing in which these instruments of killing should be used on is nazis!!!!

[1003JustinLaw]

@H3R0ify Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, so therefore life for a life, it's only fair. In a world where most things are not fair, it is our responsibility to bring at least some fairness into society or else everything simply crumbles into chaos.

I don't see why killing should be "humane", and I agree with your first line, that is not possible. The death sentence is meant to set an example, so what's the point of making the accused comfortable? Uncomfort will scare others straight.

[millsathn]

@H3R0ify So what is a fair punishment for something that, for example, tortures 10,000 children? Life in prison where they are looked after?!?

[kfs1517]

@H3R0ify they are you kill someone you shouldn't be able to live on this earth! and suffer your victims suffered there family will suffer the rest of their life, boo hoo you suffer a little bit.

[210482fmj]

you wouldn't have sympathy for somebody who had toutured some poor teenager would you. People who have done extreme wrong deserve to suffer the same as they enflicted on others