Fatal officer involved shootings following the use of TASER conducted energy weapons

Abstract

This study investigates the risks and causes of fatal officer involved shootings (OIS) following ineffective applications of TASER conducted energy weapons (CEWs). Content analysis of open-source records resulted in quantitative and qualitative characteristics and conditions associated with the ineffective application of CEWs resulting in fatal OIS. Research and field-use data indicate that CEWs were ineffective in as many as 47% of applications. From 1985 through 2020, 1349 fatal OIS followed ineffective applications of CEWs in the United States. Officers were more likely first to use CEWs to subdue minority suspects before fatally shooting them than they were with White suspects. In 14 instances since 2004, suspects shot and killed 16 law enforcement officers following ineffective applications of CEWs. The policy implications of the findings are articulated. This is the first study to examine the use of deadly force following the ineffective use of TASER technology.

Homicide Manner-of-Death Classification in Arrest-Related Death

“…This living database of ARDs has been ongoing since 2006 with consistent processes and search strategies. It has already produced several peer-reviewed articles and should thus be considered validated 19–23 . We eliminated 19 cases with no MOD given, composed of 7 stating that the MOD was pending and 12 that simply failed to provide an MOD.…”

“…It has already produced several peer-reviewed articles and should thus be considered validated. [19][20][21][22][23] We eliminated 19 cases with no MOD given, composed of 7 stating that the MOD was pending and 12 that simply failed to provide an MOD.…”