1. Capital Punishment What is Capital Punishment?
Capital Punishment is the physical reprimand for convicted criminals
Also known as ‘death penalty’
It is banned in many countries
Used for serious crimes i.e. murder

2. History of the Punishment
First Death Sentence Recorded in 16th Century BC Egypt
Known in China, Greece, Rome through out ancient times
Crucifixion, drowning at sea, burial alive, beating to death, and impalement
10th Century England, Hanging was most common.
Death Penalty still used today in many countries.

3. Methods of capital Punishment
Lethal injection
Electrocution in an electric chair
Crucifixion
Shooting by firing squad
Gassing
Hanging
Beheading

4. How does DNA aid in catching criminals?
Everyone has their individual DNA.
This makes it a lot easier to track someone down if they have committed a crime.
New technology means that even breath can be evidence for catching criminals.
This means that any crime is traceable.
DNA evidence is almost always correct and in courts has helped seal the convictions of many criminals.
Capital Punishment can be enacted on the perpetrators.

5. Where does it still occur?
It occurs most in ex-communist countries like:
China (2,468 reported cases in 2001)
Iran (139 reported cases in 2001)
Saudi Arabia (79 reported cases in 2001)
America (66 reported cases in 2001)
It still occurs in 31 countries world wide
It tends to be increasing each year

6. Wrong Convictions
This is a quote from the US Supreme Court Justice, talking about the American system of capital punishment
“The recent developments of reliable scientific evidentiary methods has made it possible to establish conclusively that a disturbing number of persons who had been sentenced to death were actually innocent.“
An example this was the case of Leonel Herrera, who was killed in Some years later, his brother confessed to the killings.

7. Arguments For…
Convicts forfeit their rights as soon as they commit the crime
The Government has the responsibility to protect citizens
Most criminals are likely to re-offend
Peace of mind for victim’s family
Preferable to life imprisonment for many
Deters crime

8. Arguments Against… Killing is wrong under any circumstance
Evidence is not always conclusive
Minorities are more likely to be executed
Can encourage police misconduct
Rehabilitation is preferable to death

9. A Cuban Firing Squad

10. An Old Fashioned Gallows