Though many people believe that execution has no place in the penal system, it is actually one of the oldest forms of death penalty. This method of putting someone to death involves a lethal injection, and is governed by 28 CFR part 26. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 also applies to this method. However, executions by hanging have become a rare event. In the past year, only three hangings have occurred, all in the state of Washington.
The use of formal execution dates back to the beginning of recorded history. Evidence from primitive tribal societies shows that the death penalty was part of the justice system. Although tribal punishments for wrongdoing generally included blood money, corporal punishment, shunning, and banishment, the death penalty was rarely used. In such societies, compensation was often considered adequate. As a result, blood feuds and tribal warfare were common. With the advent of written language, execution became a widespread method of justice.
While the term "execute" can refer to any activity or project, it usually has other meanings. It can refer to the process of completing a task or project. It can also refer to the demise of a person. It could be a court-ordered death or a deliberately targeted murder of an individual for political purposes. It is a common term in the legal context. But execution can be more than just a verb.
