Designing an Incapacitator Using LED

Abstract

An Incapacitator is a non-lethal device (NLD) that can be used by the security officers. We designed, developed an incapacitator using light emitting diodes (LEDs). We called this as blocker security system with LEDs (BSSL). Our objective to develop the BSSL is to test the hypothesis if the light pulses of varying intensity and color in time can cause incapacitation on human targets without permanent eye damages. We explained the design of the BSSL in detail, and discussed the effects on visual system and biological functions of the human being. We searched the best light pattern, if exists. We observed that the light patterns may indeed have effects especially when the frequency of light pulses are in the range of 7-15 Hz, and the colors are blue, green, and red. Patterns at 15 Hz are especially effective as they coincide with the brain waves. To our knowledge, the LED incapacitators have not been investigated in this detail so far. The possibility of using such an NLD causing no permanent damage on the subjects is considered to be very important for the security forces.