P/L/80. Dissertation. Death penalty in the USA

The dissertation aims to investigate why capital punishment still exists in the United States. The main research method is a review of literature on the history and the current situation of the death penalty; the US Constitution, Supreme Court and judicial system; the use of capital punishment by politicians; public attitudes towards death penalty, etc. An overview of capital cases is given showing misjudgement and racial bias. Alternatives to capital punishment and the use of DNA testing are discussed. Conclusions are made about the permissibility of the death penalty as a legal method of punishment.