ELECTRONIC STUN DEVICES

There are several different types of electronic stun devices on the world market. The majority of them hail from the USA and work on similar priciples of using high voltage low amperage current, most systems using a 7 to 15 watt range. A new technology using a 18 to 26 watt system pioneered by Taser International has recently become available, called Electro-muscular disruption.

It is the method of applying the current that differs. The Taser is the most well known device manufactured originally by tasertron, and a slightly more advanced system now manufactured by Taser International (formerly Air Taser). There are also various hand held applicators such as the Nova which unlike the Taser requires the operator to physically place the device against the person.

Unfortunately due to miss representation by the media outside of the USA particularly in the UK electronic stun devices are viewed upon quite wrongly as instruments of torture and are synonymous with oppressive regimes that use cattle prods to torture innocent victims.

If such devices were issued to UK police services the media outcry of police state and implements of torture would be overwhelming. It seems ironic that such a device if used under strict supervision has the potential to save injury, litigation and possibly life, when compared to the current available options. But is viewed so negatively by the very persons who campaign so vigorously (and quite rightly so) for human rights.

TASER

 

 

M26 Advanced Taser manufactured by Taser International

The Air Taser showing the two barbs which are fired using compressed air

The TASER or Thomas A Swift's Electric Rifle is a hand held electronic stun gun, which fires two small darts with attached wires that discharges high voltage low amperage current. The electricity can penetrate over two inches of clothing. It overrides the brains motor control signals in the area between the two darts causing the suspect to lose control of his limbs and fall down. No penetration or contact with the skin is required and the tasered subject should be immobilized totally within 5 seconds.

As for risk to suspects, many official medical studies have been undertaken, the most significant by DR s' Kornblum and Reddy5. Over 8 years in the County of Los Angeles including the city of L.A. out of 5000 subjects that had been Tasered 16 had died. In only one of these deaths was it found that the TASER could have contributed to their death. In that case it was ruled that both the TASAR and an overdose of PCP contributed to the death of a man with a severely debilitated heart. He had previously refused to have a pace maker operation. Of the other 15 deaths, three died from gun shot wounds when the TASER failed to stop them (indicating in this study a failure rate of 0.06 %), two from blunt force trauma (batons), one from a choke hold, and eight from fatal drug overdoses. The remaining died from acute exhaustive mania that resulted in cardiac arrest while struggling with police during restraint procedures 3 days later.

A significant case study in the history of the TASER occurred when the Court of appeal in Georgia in March 1992 upheld the use of a Taser on a female who was seven and a half months pregnant and an inmate at Dekalb County Jail. Although of little significance from a UK law point of view, it has relevant interest in the fact that no permanent injury was suffered to the woman or child. In 1981 the LAPD following extensive research adopted CS spray and the TASER as authorised non-lethal weapons. During the 10 year period between 81 and 91 CS or TASER was used in over 3000 confrontations by the LAPD, the TASER being used significantly more than the CS6. Sixteen years on and the TASER is still in use with the LAPD and over 350 other police departments and agencies in the USA have adopted it including the NYPD.

Sticky Shockers

 

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has funded a project to examine the Sticky Shocker. Still in a developmental stage and being researched by JAYCOR the sticky shocker is a low impact less-than-lethal projectile that uses stun gun technology to temporarily incapacitate a person at stand-off range. It is fired from a compressed gas or powder launcher and is designed to stick to the clothing of a target using barbs and or a glue like substance. The projectile incorporates a battery pack and associated electronics that impart a short burst of high-voltage pulses. The pulse characteristics are safe, similar to well-established non-lethal electrical shock devices, and will disable individuals or cause extreme discomfort. The Sticky Shocker will be safety tested in the near future. NIJ may then fund some field tests. Prototype development is complete and has been successfully fired at targets 30-feet away.

For updates follow link National Institute of Justice

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