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Published on: December 22, 2018
Electrical parameters of projectile stun guns.
Wayne C McDaniel1, Andrew Benwell, Scott Kovaleski
1University of Missouri, College of Engineering, W1019 Lafferre Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. mcdanielwc@missouri.edu
Summary
Projectile stun guns deliver electric shocks for subject control. Researchers evaluated the cardiac safety of these less-lethal devices by analyzing their electrical output in a pig model.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Public Health
Background:
- Projectile stun guns are less-lethal alternatives to firearms for law enforcement.
- These devices deliver electrical shocks causing muscle contraction and incapacitation.
- Concerns exist regarding cardiac safety due to thoracic application of shocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the electrical output of commercially available projectile stun guns.
- To assess the cardiac safety implications of stun gun usage.
- To analyze stun gun electrical characteristics in a relevant model.
Main Methods:
- Electrical output analysis of three stun gun models using a resistive load.
- Evaluation in a human-sized animal model (72 kg pig).
- Assessment of electrical parameters relevant to cardiac safety.
Main Results:
- The study characterized the electrical outputs of the tested stun guns.
- Data was collected from both in vitro resistive load tests and in vivo animal model experiments.
- Results provide insights into the electrical parameters delivered by these devices.
Conclusions:
- Understanding stun gun electrical output is crucial for assessing cardiac safety.
- The study provides data on the electrical characteristics of projectile stun guns.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the cardiac risks associated with stun gun use.
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