The US Department of Justice has expanded the list of methods for carrying out death sentences to include execution by firing squad, CNN reports.
The department said it is reinstating the lethal-injection protocol used previously, while also introducing additional methods of execution. At the same time, it plans to streamline internal procedures in order to speed up the process of carrying out sentences.
In a number of US states, execution by firing squad is already permitted as an alternative method, though it is used only rarely.
Acting attorney-general Todd Blanche said the previous administration had failed to ensure the use of capital punishment against the most dangerous criminals. According to him, the new policy is intended to uphold the law and support victims.
The Justice Department also said it intends to shorten the time between the passing of a death sentence and its execution.