Physiology and pathology of TASER® electronic control devices

Kroll, Mark W.

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2008.12.012

Cited by 46 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(58 reference statements)

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“…Compared to several hundred thousand estimated uses of CEW devices [41] the reported deaths are relatively low, so that other scientists consider an induction of ventricular fibrillation to be improbable [33]. This opinion has been supported by various experimental studies with human volunteers.…”

Section: Cardiovascular Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The TASER X26 for instance delivers electrical pulses of approximately 100 ms with about 100 mC of charge at 19 pulses/s for the duration of 5 s and with an average current of 2 mA. These figures show that the static electrical discharge of the TASER device is too short in duration to affect the heart muscle or cause arrhythmia [33]. Additionally the anatomical separation of the heart from the electrodes leads to a significant reduction of electricity.…”

Section: Cardiovascular Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On impact two harpoon-like probes penetrate the body surface and create an electric field, which does not directly activate the muscle tissue, but stimulates type A-a motoneurons [21,22,33]. The impulse is then forwarded to the neuromuscular junction terminal, initiating a tonic muscle contraction.…”

Section: Musculoskeletal Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acute pathophysiological influences of conducted electrical weapons in humans: A review of current literature

Kunz

Grove

Fischer

2012

Forensic Science International

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Section: Cardiovascular Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cardiovascular Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acute pathophysiological influences of conducted electrical weapons in humans: A review of current literature

Kunz

Grove

Fischer

2012

Forensic Science International

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“…In contrast to this, fibrillation could be induced in pigs [15,16] and was suspected from analyses of fatalities [17]. In addition, case reports associated human cardiac fibrillation with Taser use [18][19][20]. In its product safety and health information Taser Inc. summarizes a list of potential hazards and side effects including death, however, without explicitly mentioning cardiac fibrillation [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiac fibrillation risk of TASER X-26 dart mode application

Leitgeb

Niedermayr

Loos

et al. 2011

Wien Med Wochenschr

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In view of reported fatalities there are still controversial discussions on whether electronic stun law enforcement weapons can cause cardiac fibrillation. Experimental data are contradictory. Simplified theoretical estimations led to a negligible low risk of 8.10(-7). With a detailed numerical-anatomical model of an adult man (NORMAN) cardiac exposure to Taser X26 high-tension pulses was quantitatively assessed and the fibrillation risk estimated by accounting for its dependence on excited volume based on 3D cardiac exposure patterns. For distance mode and worst case dart hits it could be demonstrated that cardiac exposure can reach the 30% fibrillation risk level. Risk reduces considerably if direct current flow across the heart is prevented. The overall fibrillation risk of Taser application is further reduced by the limited probability of critical hits. However, in agreement with experimental findings it is demonstrated that cardiac fibrillation risk of Taser X26 dart mode application is small, however, not negligible.

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“…involuntary muscle contraction and nervous system disruption, effectively paralyzing the subject while the device is operating [1,3,4].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%