Physics of Electrical Injury

Kroll, Mark W.; Panescu, Dorin

doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-3543-3_2

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…As seen in Figure S2, the burn originating from the bottom electrode produces a darker brown discoloration than the burn from the top electrode. This trend is observably more pronounced at DSD of 5 and 3 s. With electrons traveling faster and therefore reaching the anode before cations reach the cathode, a larger momentary current density is generated at the cathode [17]. Since the bottom electrode is the cathode, it makes sense that a more aggressive burn mark, and therefore, a greater degree of discoloration is seen.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manifestation of TASER drive stun burn marks on fabrics

Ruffo

Liscio

Cao

et al. 2022

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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The TASER® is a type of conducted energy weapon (CEW) used with increasing frequency by law enforcement to subdue subjects in circumstances where compliance is necessary. When operated in the drive stun method of deployment, the electrodes at the head of this CEW are intended to make direct contact with a surface, generating heat and light which may result in burn marks as a by‐product of the electrical discharge that occurs. This research aims to tackle a crucial gap in CEW research that fails to address the appearance of burn marks on fabrics. A drive stun duration (DSD) of 1, 3, and 5 s was used with three TASER models (X26P, X2, & TASER 7) on three fabrics (white 100% cotton, 100% polyester, 35:65 cotton‐polyester blend) with an underlying backing of pork hock. Using a Keyence VHX‐6000 confocal microscope, high magnification images were taken to observe any qualitative changes to the fabric. On polyester fabric, with increasing DSD, darker brown discoloration occurred. Additionally, on polyester fabric, the spatial orientation of the burn marks corresponded with that of the electrodes at the muzzle of each TASER model. These features enabled the correct identification of the TASER model and DSD on polyester fabric in the blind tests performed. Evidence of burn marks on cotton and blend fabrics were both limited and inconsistent such that no features were sufficiently unique to link them to any TASER model or DSD. Despite this, overall features such as discoloration and the formation of holes on these fabric types may be sufficiently unique to suggest the use of a CEW.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manifestation of TASER drive stun burn marks on fabrics

Ruffo

Liscio

Cao

et al. 2022

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…88,89 The principal lesions in a larger current flow are electrothermal injuries to skin and internal organs by Joule heating, 10,69 and the effects of electroporation are easily overridden by heat in the case of typical electrical accidents involving household, machinery, or overhead power lines. 50 Elementary parameters and formulae for understanding electric injuries are given in Table 2. The most important factor determining the development of electrical injuries is the amount of current that flows through the body or tissue (Table 3).…”

Section: Electrical Injuries—general Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…48 These relationships can be summarized by Ohm’s law: V = I × R (V = voltage in volts, I = current in amperes, and R = resistance in Ohms). 50…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrical Injuries in Animals

Schulze¹,

Peters

Baumgärtner³

et al. 2016

Vet Pathol

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Electrical injuries in animals occur most often accidentally. They comprise contact to various forms of currents, including alternating, rotary, or direct currents. Depending on various parameters of the current (including the type of circuit, voltage, current and duration of exposure) and conditions of the animal (such as wet or dry hair coat and pathway of current through the body), lesions may be absent or may include early or localized development of rigor mortis, signs of acute circulatory failure, or severe thermoelectrical burns. Such burns may present as external current marks, singed hair or feathers, metallization of the skin, or occasionally internal electroporation injury resulting in muscle necrosis, hemolysis, vascular damage with thrombosis, injury to brain and spinal cord, or skeletal fractures. Furthermore, lightning strikes occur regularly in grazing animals, which have greater risk of death from step potentials (ground current) in addition to direct strike and contact injury. Such cases may have no lesions, external signs of linear or punctate burns, keraunographic markings, or exit burns on the soles of the hooves or the coronary bands. Besides detailed information about the circumstances at the location where the animal was found, electrical injuries in animals require a thorough morphological workup, including additional investigations in conjunction with certain knowledge about the possible lesion spectrum.

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“…Regarding dangers of CEW exposures, early concerns were related to potential direct electrical effects on the heart, including ventricular fibrillation (VF) (reviewed in ). Electric current will follow paths of least resistance; for example, current tends to flow through the dermis layer of the skin (which has a low resistivity), rather than through the epidermis . Kroll reviewed natural mechanisms that protect the heart from being placed into VF due to CEW exposure.…”

Section: Physiological Factors During Short‐duration Vs Longer‐duratmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposures to Conducted Electrical Weapons (IncludingTASER^®Devices): How Many and for How Long are Acceptable?

Jauchem

2014

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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TASER(®) conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) are an important law-enforcement tool. The purposes of this study are a) to review recent literature regarding potential pathophysiological responses to applications of CEWs, and other related issues and b) to evaluate whether enough data exist to determine the acceptability of longer-duration (or repeated) exposures. This is a narrative review, using a multidisciplinary approach of analyzing reports from physiological, legal-medical, and police-strategy literature sources. In general, short-duration exposures to CEWs result in limited effects. Longer-duration or repeated exposures may be utilized with caution, although there are currently not enough data to determine the acceptability of all types of exposures. Data examined in the literature have inherent limitations. Appropriateness of specific types of CEW usage may be determined by individual police agencies, applying risk/benefit analyses unique to each organization. While more research is recommended, initial concepts of potential future long-duration or repeated CEW applications are presented.

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Physics of Electrical Injury

Cited by 12 publications

References 69 publications

Manifestation of TASER drive stun burn marks on fabrics

Manifestation of TASER drive stun burn marks on fabrics

Electrical Injuries in Animals

Exposures to Conducted Electrical Weapons (IncludingTASER^®Devices): How Many and for How Long are Acceptable?

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Physics of Electrical Injury

Cited by 12 publications

References 69 publications

Manifestation of TASER drive stun burn marks on fabrics

Manifestation of TASER drive stun burn marks on fabrics

Electrical Injuries in Animals

Exposures to Conducted Electrical Weapons (IncludingTASER®Devices): How Many and for How Long are Acceptable?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Exposures to Conducted Electrical Weapons (IncludingTASER^®Devices): How Many and for How Long are Acceptable?