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Fatal traumatic brain injury with electrical weapon falls
Mark W Kroll1, Jiri Adamec2, Charles V Wetli3
1Dept of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, California Polytechnical Institute, USA.
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
|July 17, 2016
Summary
Electrical weapons, like TASERs, carry a small risk of fatal brain injury from falls. Older individuals face a higher risk, emphasizing the need for careful consideration during use.
Area of Science:
- Forensic pathology
- Public health
- Medical device safety
Background:
- Electrical weapons, while reducing harm, pose risks like eye injuries and falls.
- Uncontrolled falls from electrical weapon use can lead to fatal brain injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the risk of brain injury from electrical weapon use.
- To identify risk factors associated with fatal falls due to electrical weapons.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of risk factors for head injury during falls.
- Review of in-custody death cases involving electrical weapon use and falls.
- Exclusion of intentional jumps to focus on forced falls.
Main Results:
- 16 probable cases of fatal brain injury from electrical weapon-induced falls identified.
- Risk estimated at 5.3 ± 2.6 PPM per 3 million uses, exceeding electrocution risk.
- Mean age of fatalities (46) higher than typical arrest-related deaths (36).
Conclusions:
- Electrical weapon use presents a small but significant risk of death from traumatic brain injury.
- Advanced age is an independent risk factor for fatalities related to electrical weapon use.