A Weird Question on the Firing Squad

[Boris The Animal]

I know this sounds morbid, and perhaps it is. But something I was wondering, especially after watching the 1974 movie "The Execution of Private Slovik" and researching the backstory to it. If the aim of a firing squad were directed at the heart, wouldn't it be more effective for say one or two members of the squad to attempt a headshot as well?

[jimmyz]

IMO a head shot is less practical than a heart shot and too prone to a miss or off target glance off of facial or skull bone. six rounds at the heart and into a softer chest is more apt to stop the heart and inflict trauma to the lungs if the heart is missed. The shock with several rounds to the chest cavity is a more humane way to expire IMO.

[jigglepete]

This video should explain it

[Mister D]

There is a psychology to executions that I think one or two members attempting a head shot would interfere with. The gore created by a close range head shot and the fact that the shooter will know exactly what he did makes the killing a little too personal.

[jimmyz]

There is a psychology to executions that I think one or two members attempting a head shot would interfere with. The gore created by a close range head shot and the fact that the shooter will know exactly what he did makes the killing a little too personal.

^^^ Yes.

IIRC one member of the firing squad has his rifle chambered with a blank round (before they pick-up their rifle and aim) so that each member has plausible deniability in being the one with a live round.

[Adelaide]

There is a psychology to executions that I think one or two members attempting a head shot would interfere with. The gore created by a close range head shot and the fact that the shooter will know exactly what he did makes the killing a little too personal.

Yeah, this is likely a major reason.

Also, a headshot is harder to make and if you do not do it exactly right it would be entirely possible for a person to still be alive but with obvious deficits, or alive for a while until succumbing. Aiming for the heart is easier, will definitely result in a quicker death even if you do not hit it dead on (pardon the pun), and even if you totally missed you might still hit things like the aorta which would cause massive catastrophic bleeding. If you aim for the head and basically give the guy a buzzcut, he might stop moving and eventually bleed out, but it will take a while. The rifle/bullet used in the old days may not have the accuracy or power to penetrate certain parts of the skull, which is thicker in places. The power of the bullet also determines how much of an impact it has on the brain - without enough energy, it might not do enough damage.

A lot of people think a headshot always means death, but it can also mean vegetable. It isn't predictable with the brain. If you narrowed it down to one specific area (brain stem is probably best), it would make the shot even harder.

[jimmyz]

Yeah, this is likely a major reason.

Also, a headshot is harder to make and if you do not do it exactly right it would be entirely possible for a person to still be alive but with obvious deficits, or alive for a while until succumbing. Aiming for the heart is easier, will definitely result in a quicker death even if you do not hit it dead on (pardon the pun), and even if you totally missed you might still hit things like the aorta which would cause massive catastrophic bleeding. If you aim for the head and basically give the guy a buzzcut, he might stop moving and eventually bleed out, but it will take a while. The rifle/bullet used in the old days may not have the accuracy or power to penetrate certain parts of the skull, which is thicker in places. The power of the bullet also determines how much of an impact it has on the brain - without enough energy, it might not do enough damage.

A lot of people think a headshot always means death, but it can also mean vegetable. It isn't predictable with the brain. If you narrowed it down to one specific area (brain stem is probably best), it would make the shot even harder.

I am offended Adelaide lifted my post # 2, re-worded it and made it hers.

Rule 69: You may not use a members post to formulate one and imply original though.

[Captain Obvious]

North Korea does it right, death by artillery shell.

[Mister D]

This thread made me think of Breaker Morant which I only saw a small but relevant part of.

[Adelaide]

I am offended Adelaide lifted my post # 2, re-worded it and made it hers.

Rule 69: You may not use a members post to formulate one and imply original though.

Pft.

I think mine offered more medical information. The nice thing about center mass is that it bleeds fast and furious. That will kill you quicker than a lung injury, by the way. A hit to the aorta would cause death "immediately" in 90% of traumatic cases. The rest might make it to a modern emergency room but they die also.