Tasers – An accidental death waiting to happen

Extract

[...] As critics point out, “these studies still don't address the question of whether mentally ill people or those high on drugs are at an increased risk.” (Marshall 2007). One wonders how rigorously critical these tests really are. Much of the research has been funded by Taser International, and researchers creating more rigorous test conditions still do not closely emulate field conditions. For instance, in new studies modeling effects during arrests, Jeffrey Ho included “doses of three times the length of the standard 5-second shock to look for any risks of repeated tasering.” (Marshall 2007) Yet repeated tasering is not one long continued exposure to current, but rather to serial cycles of current: clearly a circumstance that must put different stresses on the physical and bioelectrical system. [...]

[...] Tasers An accidental death waiting to happen Police by their nature seem to like new that make their work easier. When they are interested in bullet proof vests or night vision goggles, we see increased utility at no harmful cost to the man on the street. But when their interest turns to tasers, its seductive appeal has blinded them to the risks of this tool. Tasers are inherently dangerous and should not be used by police or be on the market for sale to civilians. [...]