I repeat my post from the long "Hanging' thread. However, I agree, this execution deserves separate thread.
I think the recent Iran hanging is the most excellent set of execution pictures ever published. It depicts execution procedure exactly as I imagine. The condemend guy, apparently horrified, is brought to the gallows already handcuffed with his legs shackled. The steel chains and handcuffs contrast with his bare wrists. He is wearing baggy clothes, probably with a diaper, and is barely barefoot except of thin socks and flip-flops. The surrounding guards and officials are masked and impersonal. He is put on the truck platform, given no hood and may watch all long-lasting preparations: pulling the rope through the crane hook and adjusting the noose. The rope itself is very thick and noose consists of several coils. When suspension hanging is applied, such kind of noose will not constrict vertebral arteries and allow blood flow to the brain for a longer period. Additionally, the knot is placed not behind the left ear, but in occipital area which prolongs awareness. Noose is placed above the level of thyroid cartilage, between the larynx and the chin. I am sure, that the condemned was conscious for a longer time - maybe for 30 seconds or even more. Surely he was feeling unimaginable pain and subjective sensations, such as flashes of light and ringing or hissing noises in the ears. The pictures show really strong convulsions, kicking, losing flip-flops. You may see deep bruising on his wrists when the body is lowered to the ground. Another interesting finding is a drool of saliva dribbling from the angle of mouth when his head is bent forward. This is a result of increased salivation before death due to the stimulation of the salivary glands by the ligature. There is also some mucus fluid flowing dwon from his nostrills. When he is hanging, the hands are clenched, later relaxed. The face is grey-pale, eyelids almost closed. Some pictures are really amazing: close-up of his shackled, kicking feet with socks on, removal of steel chains and cuffs from the hanging body, certification of death by auscultation (excellent abdominal hairy sixpack visible), light reflex on pupils, lowering the body directly from the crane to the body bag on the ground. I am sure this execution was performed perfectly.