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Coroner's Report: Guillotine (3:14)

The guillotine, the notorious killing machine of the French Revolution, was used to behead thousands, including King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Why was it a humane form of execution for its time, and did victims' brains continue functioning after decapitation?

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  • Coroner's Report: Guillotine
    Coroner's Report: Guillotine

    Video Clip (3:14)

    The guillotine, the notorious killing machine of the French Revolution, was used to behead thousands, including King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Why was it a humane form of execution for its time, and did victims' brains continue functioning after decapitation?

    Video Clip (3:14)
  • The Guillotine
    The Guillotine

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    Why was this death device a popular form of execution?

    Video Clip (4:06)

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Read More about Guillotine

The guillotine was an instrument for inflicting capital punishment by decapitation, introduced into France in 1792 during the Revolution.

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