Decapitation

Decapitation, or beheading, is the removal of a living being's head, inevitably resulting in death. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, or knife, or by means of a guillotine. Accidental decapitation can be the result of an explosion, automobile or industrial accident or other violent injury. Suicide by decapitation is rare, but not unknown. In 2003 a British man killed himself by means of a home-made guillotine, constructed over a period of several weeks.

External links

• Does the head remain briefly conscious after decapitation? (The Straight Dope)
• Is decapitation of civilians allowed by Islamic law? (Islamonline.net) (dead link)
• Guillotine death was suicide (BBC News)
• The story of Mike the Headless Chicken A chicken who lived for 18 months after his head was cut off. (miketheheadlesschicken.org)