A public executioner is a person who executes criminals in front of a crowd of spectators. Synonyms for this term include hangman, executioner, killer, slayer and liquidator. Other more formal terms include judicial executor, sentenced person executor and execution official. A hangman is typically associated with the method of execution by hanging. While an executioner can be associated with any method of execution including lethal injection, beheading, or electrocution. In ancient times, a public executioner was especially trained in the art of execution to ensure the punishment was carried out humanely and without error. In modern times, the role of the public executioner has been abolished in many countries, but the term remains in use in legal and historical contexts.