(iii) Ropes that have been tested shall be locked up in a place of safety. (iv) On the evening before the execution, the gallows and ropes should be examined to ascertain that they have not been damaged since the test. (v) The rope shall be tested by attaching to one end a bag of sand equal 10 one and a half times the weight of the prisoner to be executed and dropping this weight the distance of the drop calculated for the prisoner. (vi) The Superintendent shall condemn a rope which shows signs of wear or when he has any reason to suspect its reliability. No rope more than five years old shall be used at any execution. A label duly signed by the Superintendent shall be sewn on to each end of every exaction rope showing the date of its purchase. Regulation of drops. Rule356. (i) The drop is the length of the rope from a point on the rope outside the angle of the lower jaw of the condemned prisoner as he stands on the scaffold, to the point where the lope is embraced in the noose after allowing for the constriction of the neck that takes place in hanging. (ii) The following scale of drop proportionate to the weight of the prisoner is given for general guidance, the Superintendent must use his discretion and also be guided by the advice of the Medical Officer and the physical condition of the prisoner. Kg. Gr. Drop Cm Mm For a prisoner under 45- 3 10 Weight 2 13 For a prisoner under 54 - 320 Weight. 1 82 For a prisoner under 63- 5 10 Weight 1 67 For a prisoner under 81 - 654 Weight 1 52 Explanation. The length of the rope should be equal to the distance from beam to the plank plus the difference between the drop and the height upto the angle of lower jaw of the condemned prisoner. If such height comes out to be more than drop, the difference is to be deducted and the end of the rope in that case will be slightly above the plank. Illustration I. For a prisoner under 100 Kgs. Weight = 7 feet 131