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AnswerIn case the condemned receives a stay of execution at the last minute.

Since no one knows if the condemned will be receive a stay at the last minute, standard medical infection rules apply. This includes swabbing the IV area with alcohol and iodine as well as using sterile, one-time-use needles.

Regardless of setting, using sterilized needles makes things safer for everyone involved. It avoids any improper infection, making cause of death easier to rule. Also, having sterilized needles prevents staff members from getting any infection due to cross-contamination.

It does seem counter-intuitive, yes. But since the main reason is to keep the condemned healthy until death is administered, spending the extra time to sanitize and sterilize is well worth it.

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They use a new needle each time, and all new needles are pre-sterilized. There is really no symbolic meaning behind the use of a sterile needle; standard precautions (clean or sterile techniques) are used in all medical procedures, including lethal injection. This protects the person inserting the IV, and anyone else handling "sharps," and is not just for the benefit of the person being executed.

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The rules regarding the method for state executions are quite specific, and if someone is supposed to be executed with a lethal injection of a specific chemical then that needs to be what they ultimately die of. Obviously a flu virus being on the needle won't make any difference, but if the needle is contaminated by something that affects how the chemical works then the cause of death will be different to that which has been permitted, and whoever administered it will face serious legal problems. Especially if the contaminated needle makes what is intended to be a quick and painless execution prolonged and painful.

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12y ago
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11y ago

The needles are mass produced for all medical needs and as such, during production all batches are sterilised.

Also, in the rare case of a condemed prisoner surviving the act of execution (in which case they receive a pardon), the needles are sterilized so that the prisoner will not get an infection and therefore sue the state.

To add to the preceding paragraph, you don't receive a pardon if you survive a lethal injection or an electric shock, they'll just try again at a later date.

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13y ago

This is standard medical practice. If the condemned prisoner receives a stay of execution after the IV needles are inserted but before the drugs are administered, he will be protected from infection.

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Q: Why are lethal injection needles sterilized?
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Why are sterrilised needles used on death by lethal injection?

Because that is common medical practise.


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No.


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AnswerLife in prison or the death penaltyAnswerThe 35 states that still have capital punishment were transitioning toward using lethal injection for most executions, when medical evidence indicated the drugs may not be working as expected, and may cause the prisoner to undergo conscious asphyxiation. At least one state (Nevada) has reverted to using the electric chair, and several others have declared a temporary moratorium on executions. 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