Firing squad
The firing squad is now a widespread method of execution - used by 89 countries at the last count. The weapons employed range from pistols to rifles and even sub-machine guns.



The gas chamber
An American innovation first used in the state of Nevada in 1924 to execute Gee Jon, who died six minutes after the introduction of hydrocyanic gas into the chamber.



Hanging
Last used in Britain in 1964 and in the US in 1993, where it used to be the sole means of execution but is now extremely rare. Still used in some countries - notably Malaysia, Iran and Iraq.



The electric chair
Another American innovation - first used in New York on August 6, 1890 to execute wife-murderer William Kemmler. Electrodes are attached to the victim's head and calf and a current of 1,800 to 2,000 volts is passed through the body for about five minutes.



The garotte
A collar was put around the vivtim's neck and a post. A mechanism at the back of the collar was then tightened, driving a screw into the nape of the neck, thereby cutting the spinal cord.



Boiling
In water or in oil that was either boiling already or, worse still, heated after the victim had been placed in the cauldron.



The Cave of Roses
A 17th-century Swedish method of execution in which prisoners were put into a cave of poisonous snakes.



Lethal injection
A method of execution used in the US today. It was introduced in 1980 and first used in 1982 but still inspires intense debate over the ethics of using medical procedures and medically trained people to take lives.



A Death of 21 Cuts
Traditional method of execution in Japan in which the executioner would slice away pieces of the victim's body, killing him with the 21st and final cut.



Hanging, drawing and quartering
The prisoner was hanged and cut down when still alive. Then his stomach was cut open and his bowels were taken out and burned in front of him. Finally, he was decapitated and cut into quarters.