Hængning

Hængning, or hanging, is the act of suspending a person by the neck. In the context of capital punishment, it has been used as a method to cause death through neck injury and asphyxia. A noose is placed around the neck, and gravity or a deliberate drop provides the force.

Etymology: The Danish noun 'hængning' derives from the verb 'hænge' meaning 'to hang'; related forms occur in other Germanic languages.

History and techniques: Hanging has been employed across many cultures since antiquity and became common in Europe and the Americas during the medieval and early modern periods. Variants include the long drop, designed to cause rapid neck fracture, and the short drop, which relies more on asphyxia. Forensic analysis distinguishes accidental hangings from executed hangings and suicides.

Legal status: In most jurisdictions, capital punishment by hanging has been abolished or not practiced in practice; some countries retain it for specific offenses. International norms and many national laws restrict or prohibit the death penalty, leading to its decline in use.

Cultural and social aspects: Hanging has appeared in literature and film as a symbol of state authority and punishment. It also features in forensic and historical studies of criminal justice, and debates continue about legality, humanity, and due process.