TASER dart causes penetrating intracranial injury

Abstract

Although conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) such as the Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle (TASER) provide a less lethal means for subduing persons than firearms or stun guns, they have the potential to cause adverse injury. This report discusses the intracranial penetration of a TASER dart.We present a case of a woman in her early 40s who was subdued by New South Wales Police with a TASER. The dart impacted her skull resulting in a tonic-clonic seizure. Examination and imaging in the emergency department revealed intracranial penetration to a depth of 4 mm. An emergency craniotomy was performed. She had no neurological deficits and subsequently discharged herself from the hospital.This case demonstrates that penetrating head injury causing brain injury with subsequent seizures is possible with TASER use, contrary to common belief. While they are not intended to penetrate the skull, traumatic brain injury requiring neurosurgical intervention should be considered if CEWs such as TASER are pointed at the human head, especially at shorter ranges. This report demonstrates that utmost caution should be ensured with their use. We outline the weapon’s mechanism, review the literature and discuss the physical properties of the collision in order to investigate the likelihood of intracranial injury.