Lethal injection
Lethal injection is a method of execution used in capital punishment. The usual procedure for lethal injection involves strapping a prisoner down to a gurney-style bed. Two sets of intravenous tubes are inserted into each of the prisoner's arms. A typical lethal injection will include three drugs:
- Sodium Pentathol - a sedative to put the prisoner to sleep
- Pancuronium Bromide - a paralyzing agent that stops the prisoner's breathing
- Potassium Chloride - a drug that causes the heart to cease beating.
An alternative method uses only Sodium Pentathol as the single drug, in a lethal quantity.
Lethal injection was first used on December 7, 1982, when Charlie Brooks was executed in Texas.[1]
Death by lethal injection has not traditionally been believed to be painful as the inmate will lose consciousness prior to the death-inducing drugs being pumped in their veins. Recent medical findings, however, have called this into question.[2]
Lethal injection is the preferred method for executions in the United States. It has also been used in China, Guatemala and the Philippines.[3]
