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Infection Risk From Conducted Electrical Weapon Probes: What Do We Know?
Mark W Kroll1,2, Mollie B Ritter3, Richard A Guilbault4
1Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, Crystal Bay, MN.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|July 19, 2016
Summary
TASER electrical weapon probes have a very low infection risk. Manufacturing and electrical pulses sterilize probes, preventing infections despite initial contamination concerns.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- TASER electrical weapons utilize probes that penetrate skin, raising concerns about infection risk.
- Probes may carry Staphylococcus aureus contamination from the manufacturing process (5% rate).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the actual infection risk associated with TASER electrical weapon probe deployment.
- To investigate the potential sterilizing effects of the electrical field generated by the weapon.
Main Methods:
- Survey of voluntary recipients (n=208) for self-reported infections.
- Analysis of reported infections from over 3.3 million probe deployments.
- Electrical field modeling of the probe's dart portion.
Main Results:
- No self-reported infections were observed among surveyed recipients.
- Ten case reports of sensitive tissue penetration showed no associated infections.
- Electrical field modeling indicated sufficient voltage (1200 V/mm) to sterilize the dart via electroporation.
Conclusions:
- Electrical weapon probes demonstrate a very low, potentially zero, infection rate.
- Low bacterial contamination during manufacturing and probe sterilization by electrical pulses contribute to safety.
