Initiator caspases in mammals include
Initiator caspases (caspase-8, -9 and -10) are activated by dimerization within large multiprotein platforms such as the DISC or the apoptosome. Once active they cleave and thereby activate the executioner caspases (caspase-3, -6 and -7). Executioner caspases proteolytically dismantle structural proteins, activate nucleases and ultimately produce the morphological hallmarks of apoptosis.
Ref: NCERT Biology Class 11–12 Alberts et al Molecular Biology of the Cell Lodish et al, Molecular Cell Biology Cooper & Hausman, The Cell Abbas et al., Cellular and Molecular Immunology (for immunology sections)