The death penalty is a controversial type of sentencing that has been established since historical records were recorded. The death penalty was imposed on criminals convicted of one of the most serious crimes, murder. The United States has established divergent opinions on the death penalty, which has given rise to views for and against the death penalty. Statistics were also provided to demonstrate that the use of the death penalty has deterred capital crimes related to murder. The death penalty has also impacted law enforcement by focusing the investigation on compiling the necessary evidence and testimony in order to properly gather all the necessary information. The death penalty has always been controversial throughout history, but the arguments for and against the abolition of the death penalty are essential in establishing a correct punishment for the crime committed. The death penalty was supported by statistical analysis that provided arguments for and against sentencing based on deterrence methods. People opposed to the death penalty have documented states that do not have the death penalty and shown a decrease in the murder rate. David Cooper's statistical article provides information on non-death penalty states having lower murder rates by stating: "When comparisons are made between states with the death penalty and states without the death penalty, the A majority of states with the death penalty have higher murder rates than non-death penalty states. . The average murder rate per 100,000 population in 1999 among states with the death penalty was 5.5, while the average murder rate in non-death penalty states was only 3.6. (Cooper, p.1). Statistics have shown that the death penalty is a criminal act of homicide. The process of properly investigating the homicide that has occurred is becoming more and more crucial for law enforcement agencies and has impacted them due to the correct identification of the root cause of the crime. The death penalty should always be the last type of sentencing sought by a court, but if the crime has sufficient evidence and information, the death penalty should be invoked. Works Cited Carter, J. Show Death Penalty the Door. http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000983. Procon.org. Accessed March 24, 2014 Cooper, D. Deterrence: States without the death penalty have had consistently lower murder rates. 2014. http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/deterrence-states-without-death-penalty-have-had-consistently-lower-murder-rates#stateswithvwithout. Death Penalty Information Center. Accessed in March 24, 2014.