Repeated or long-duration TASER® electronic control device exposures: acidemia and lack of respiration

Abstract

Conducted energy weapons (CEWs), such as TASER devices, may be applied to subjects in repeated or long-duration modes. Such applications may result in more potentially harmful effects (as reflected in blood factor changes) than shorter exposures. In this review, results from a number of studies of repeated and long-duration CEW exposures in an animal model are examined. Additionally, a few limited investigations of shorter CEW applications to human subjects are considered. Specifically, in anesthetized swine, increased blood acidity (acidemia) and lack of effective respiration were found to be common during or immediately after CEW exposure. The acidemia could have been due to both metabolic and respiratory acidosis. A relatively rapid recovery toward baseline pH levels occurred. The lack of effective respiration has not been verified in experiments of CEW applications to human subjects; however, in some incidents of human deaths after CEW exposures subjects have been reported to stop breathing immediately after the exposure. It is not known if all human subjects exposed to CEW applications in the field (often "on drugs" or "in excited delirium") would be able to maintain adequate breathing. Since a limited number of short CEW applications would be less likely to cause adverse effects, however, CEWs can still be a valuable tool for law enforcement activities.

Animal experimentation in forensic sciences: How far have we come?

“…Reviews on this topic however are worryingly uncommon -only two studies in the past twelve years [71,72]. None, to our knowledge, have been performed for the forensic scenario.…”

“…From this point of view, the history of forensic sciences has provided us with much evidence of the inapplicability of data obtained from studies performed on animal models, including the Daubert sentence [66] and several recent studies have again stressed the limits of this approach in different fields of forensic sciences, from the estimation of post mortem interval to genetics [67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75]. In an article concerning the effectiveness of triphenyltetrazolium chloride to detect acute myocardial infarction, the authors state that "it is not realistic to apply methods confirmed in animals" [68].…”

The respiratory, metabolic, and neuroendocrine effects of a new generation electronic control device

“…While this was clinically not important for the duration studied, it could perhaps have implications for longer durations. In a review by Jauchem, he noted that animal studies have shown impaired respiration and prolonged exposures had caused a mixed metabolic and respiratory acidosis [11]. Although in his review, the durations of exposure where longer than would be expected in field use.…”

“…The study found no statistical difference between the TASER exposure and the additional brief exertion in the groups that had the initial exertion regimen. In the previously mentioned review by Jauchem, it was noted that animal studies with prolonged durations have shown significant evidence of metabolic acidosis with lactates to 24 mmol/L after 18 repeated 7-s exposures [11].…”

Acute pathophysiological influences of conducted electrical weapons in humans: A review of current literature

“…Even though some animal studies point out certain potential risk factors after an exposure to CEWs, such as increased hematocrit, acidosis or lack of effective respiration [9][10][11][12][13], these Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) deliver short high-voltage, low current energy pulses to temporarily paralyze a person by causing muscular contraction.…”