I recall reading, many years ago (during the Iraq occupation) about how hanging — proper hanging — was a highly scientific procedure that involved far more than just finding some rope and a high enough hook to tie it. It involves computation of rope lengths, drop lengths, and other variables. The new Iraqi government started executing members of the old regime, and after the second or third botched hanging (involving at least one unintended decapitation), they asked the Americans for help. Who pointed them at the Brits. Who had a manual delivered that covered (in what I'm sure was mind-numbing detail) How To Hang Someone And Look Like You Know What You Are Doing, You Stupid Git. Or something to that effect.