Figure this out

A group of (highly intelligent) criminals are about to be executed by a sadistic executioner. The executioner tells the criminals that he is going to line them up front-to-back (as opposed to standing side by side), so each can see the people in front of them, but not those behind them. Furthermore, he will turn off the lights, and RANDOMLY place either a red or white hat on each person's head. Then, he'll turn the lights back on. He will ask each person, starting from the BACK of the line, whether they are wearing a red or white hat. If the person answers incorrectly or says anything other than RED or WHITE, that person will be shot. Each person cannot see their own hats, only those of the people in front of them. They can hear, however, what the people behind them say, and whether or not each person gets shot. If anybody speaks out of turn, or makes any movement out of the line, etc... they will also be shot. Anybody who doesn't get shot will be granted amnesty. 

After telling them all this, the executioner then leaves the criminals alone in a room for a few minutes. By the time he returns, they have divised a strategy that will ensure that AT MOST one person will get shot, and maybe none at all. What is their strategy?

All right let's see who can figure this out!
Please do not Google answer and post it wait til later!

Not even a guess?

I would provide an answer but it would just get deleted for violating forum rules.

I wonder where our mensa people went?

For the non mensanites -
Do we know if there are an equal number of each color to be given out?

Hint.. If you're good @ math this is easy. Or if you code and know CS it is obvious.  

CheenaGringo wrote:I would provide an answer but it would just get deleted for violating forum rules.

If that were true 1/2 The people would get deleted for being stupid. There is only a 15 minute window of opportunity to delete stupidity. You can't fix stupid but you can delete stupid.if your quick enough!