Well, honestly, I don't mind either choice, but I voted no death messages.

What if, instead of names (and in combination with the old death messages, we had on the server) the messages would look something like this:

Bandit killed Survivor from 300 meters with m4a1 cco.
Hero killed Bandit from 200 meters with AK-74.

I have no idea if that's even a possibility, but instead of your name, let them post your humanity rank.

Having to study a body, before you get the credit, is also a big gamechanger. In my opinion, one for the better, you list all the positives and I pretty much agree.

No, the range this is gonna get in the way, if omen got shot next to me and it would say 800 meters, BAM! Automatic rangefinding and distance of the enemy.

if death messages are kept, maybe do some if statements...quick example

if(distance < 5m)
{
print "Bernard was killed at point blank range.";
}

if((distance > 100m) && (distance < 500m))
{
print "Bernard was killed from over 100m away.";
}

if((distance > 500m) && (distance < 1000m))
{
print "Bernard was killed from over 500m away.";
}

if(distance >1000m)
{
print "Holy shit...Bernard was killed from over 1km away!";
}