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Published on: February 1, 2018
Traumatic paralysis following conducted electrical weapon deployment
Mark W Kroll1, Michael A Brave2, Jiri Adamec3
1Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, USA.
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
|July 25, 2026
Summary
Permanent paralysis from Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs) is rare but severe. Falls caused by CEW neuromuscular effects, leading to spinal trauma, are the primary mechanism for these serious injuries.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Neurology
- Trauma Medicine
Background:
- Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs) are common less-lethal tools for law enforcement globally.
- While direct CEW injuries are infrequent, severe outcomes can arise from secondary effects, particularly falls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, severity, and injury patterns of permanent paralysis linked to CEW use.
- Emphasis on trauma resulting from falls and law enforcement force.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a case series of 17 incidents (2004-2024) involving CEW deployment and subsequent paraplegia or tetraplegia.
- Evaluation of fall causation (CEW-induced vs. temporal association) and descriptive summarization of demographics, circumstances, injury mechanisms, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 17 cases identified (15 USA, 2 UK), with 8 resulting in paraplegia and 8 in tetraplegia; one patient recovered.
- Mean age was 37 years; all subjects resisted or fled law enforcement.
- Predominant injury mechanism involved falls with head-first impacts causing cervical or thoracic spine trauma.
Conclusions:
- Paralysis following CEW deployment is a rare but serious complication.
- Neuromuscular incapacitation leading to severe falls and subsequent spinal cord injury is the primary concern.
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