New TASER injuries: lacrimal canaliculus laceration and ethmoid bone fracture

Taser-Related Ocular Injuries: A Review of the Literature and Medico-Legal Implications

PURPOSE

Electric weapons have dangers associated with their use, such as burns and trauma related with the impacts of uncontrolled falls, even though they often minimize morbidity and mortality. The exact visual outcome of the damage inflicted is unknown, even though numerous studies have been documented in the literature about the ocular damage induced by the use of these tools.

METHODS

We present a narrative review of types of eye damage associated with the use of the Taser. The following search terms were used to identify eligible articles through the PubMed database: "TASER", "Conducted Electric Weapons", "CEWs".

RESULTS

A total of 15 articles were included with information about 38 patients with eye damage associated with the use of taser. The majority of patients were males. In most cases the mechanism of injury was the penetration of the probe inside the eye. Clinical manifestations of ocular damage were present in only 18 out of 38 cases and varied according to the type of damage mechanism. Indeed, the cases in which the probe had penetrated the eye showed more severe clinical manifestations with a poor visual outcome.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the introduction of taser use for law enforcement requires serious consideration and adequate training for officers.

TASER CEW distance determination for models X26P, X2, and TASER 7

TASER weapons, classified as Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs) are used by law enforcement as electrical, non-lethal weapons. A CEW's long distance method of deployment launches two barbed probes that embed into the target, before electricity is cycled from one probe to the other. The resulting muscle contractions help incapacitate the intended target. Currently, there is no research on the accuracy of variability of CEW probe spread in determining the distance of the shooter. Thus, in this study, a method of distance determination for TASER models X26P, X2, and TASER 7 was established to help estimate the relative locations of individuals during crime scene reconstruction. Each of four probe cartridge types were launched for six repetitions towards vertical cardboard targets from three different distances (n = 72). The probe spread on the targets was measured for each cartridge and plotted against CEW-To-Target (CTT) distance. Linear regression trendlines and standard deviations were generated for each cartridge type. Results demonstrated probe spread distances to be proportional to probe launch angles, and greater CTT distances resulted in greater standard deviation. Standard error of the estimate was calculated for all four linear regression equations and their ability to predict CTT distance when given probe spread measurements. The mean standard error values appeared acceptable for the X2 (0.460 m), TASER 7 CQ (0.273 m), and X26P (0.322 m) CEW models, while the mean error calculated for the TASER 7 Standoff model (0.846 m) was considerably greater. We expect our findings will help establish a reliable method of distance determination for CEWs, and perhaps with a larger sample size, more thoroughly examine the accuracy of the linear regression equations. CEW distance determination has the potential to provide support in contextualizing crime scene reconstruction with further research. By providing distance estimations alongside a standardized guide of error allowance, it would be possible to induce how far apart individuals were at the time a CEW was fired, within the calculated window of deviation, and in a statistical degree of confidence.

Bone-Penetrating TASER Bolt: A Rare Case of Penetrating Injury to the Middle Phalanx of the Little Finger

TASER^© (Axon Enterprise, Scottsdale, Arizona) is a type of electric gun that delivers a sudden shock to temporarily disable a human subject. It is used by law enforcement, as well as civilians, worldwide. Despite its wide use as a “non-lethal” form of self-defence, it can lead to serious injuries. We are presenting a rare case report of a 28-year-old man who presented to our Plastic Surgery Trauma Service following a penetrating TASER bolt injury to the middle phalanx of his left little finger.

Medical implications of Conducted Energy Devices in law enforcement

This study examines the medical implications of Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs) in law enforcement, of which TASER® is the brand most recognised. In order to develop understanding of TASER® use, this study undertook both a literature review and original research using data provided by a number of UK police forces. The comprehensive review of literature identified a range of injures, including both primary and secondary complications. Research was conducted into TASER® use in the United Kingdom using a number of data sets, including a retrospective study of some 60,000 uses of force. This data shows TASER® was only discharged on 18% of occasions it was drawn from the holster. The injuries sustained by both subjects and Police Officers associated with TASER® use were compared and it was found that fewer injuries, as a proportion of use, were associated with TASER® than use of Police Dogs, baton, irritant spray or physical confrontation. The data examined 948 discharges of TASER® and recorded 159 attendances at the Emergency Department as a result. Only three hospital admissions were identified. The paper concludes that the use of CEDs as a police use-of-force may be associated with injury; the overwhelming majority of such are classified as minor. Death or the more severe injuries described in the medical literature are rare and any deaths occurring within temporal proximity to the use of a CED should be investigated thoroughly and the presentation of the individual carefully recorded. The collection of post-incident data provides evidence to the relative operational safety of the TASER® by the UK Police; it is accepted by the police that no use-of-force option is risk free, however data provided showed a greater incidence of injury to both the officers and subjects, as a proportion of use, when baton, irritant spray or physical confrontation was used.

Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle Injuries to the Eye and Ocular Adnexa: The Management of Complex Trauma

PURPOSE

To report the ocular and adnexal injuries sustained by patients with Thomas A. Swift's electric rifles (TASER; TASER International, Scottsdale, AZ), review the literature, and discuss the management of this complex trauma.

DESIGN

Multicenter, retrospective case series and literature review.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventeen eyes of 16 patients (5 eyes of 5 patients treated at 3 institutions, and 12 eyes of 11 previously reported cases).

METHODS

The clinical data of 17 eyes were pooled. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between the extent of TASER injury and patient outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Extent of TASER injury (zone of injury, penetrating vs. perforating) and association with patient outcomes (visual acuity [VA] and retinal detachment [RD]).

RESULTS

In our cohort, 4 patients were transported by law enforcement and 1 was transferred from a community hospital. Four patients were taken to the operating room for TASER removal and globe repair; 1 patient underwent removal in the emergency room. Of 17 pooled cases, 12 (71%) involved open-globe injury. Of these, there was a high rate of zone 3 injuries (100%; n = 12) and a high incidence of RD (73%; 8 of 11, eviscerated eye excluded). Among patients with closed-globe injury (n = 5), 1 patient demonstrated exudative RD and 1 patient demonstrated retinal dialysis with RD. Of 10 patients with RD, 1 (10%) achieved resolution with monitoring (exudative RD); 1 (10%) underwent cryopexy and pneumatic retinopexy; 3 (30%) underwent vitrectomy, and 5 (50%) with poor prognosis did not undergo vitreoretinal surgery. In the 3 patients who underwent vitrectomy, all 3 (100%) demonstrated redetachment resulting from proliferative vitreoretinopathy and required additional surgery. Visual acuity on presentation was significantly correlated with final VA (ρ = 0.783; P = 0.02). Men (94%) were more likely than women (6%) to sustain TASER trauma. Median age was 26 years. There was a 50% rate of loss to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Thomas A. Swift's electric rifle injuries to the eyes or ocular adnexa represent complex trauma. Zone 3 injuries are common. The visual prognosis is guarded, and eyes may require multiple surgeries to preserve vision. Patients are at high risk for loss to follow-up by way of incarceration.

Impaled Orbital TASER Probe Injury Requiring Primary Enucleation

The Conducted Electrical Weapon is a weapon often used by law enforcement agencies as a method of less lethal means to subdue a suspect. Injuries to the eye with these devices are usually due to the projectile force of the metal probes that are released when these devices are engaged. The authors report what may be the first case of an impaled orbital TASER probe that required primary enucleation for globe perforation.