Posted on 05/25/2006 4:57:47 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
The safety of Tasers, the electric pistols that are widely used by police, is under new scrutiny after a study by a Wisconsin scientist showed that shocks from the guns cause the hearts of healthy pigs to stop beating. The finding contradicts previous studies that showed that Taser shocks did not cause heart disturbances in pigs, whose hearts are similar to those in humans.
John G. Webster, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Wisconsin who conducted the new study, said the earlier studies contained serious errors because they did not account for the fact that pigs have a thick layer of muscle insulating their hearts from their skin. Humans do not. Dr. Webster removed the muscle from the pigs' chests and placed Taser barbs close to their hearts before shocking the animals. "The previous research made a mistake," Dr. Webster said. "I was a little surprised. But I believe this research more accurately reflects the anatomy of humans."
While most Taser shots land too far from the heart to be lethal, barbs that penetrate the spaces between the ribs that surround the heart may have the potential to cause electrocution, he said. Steve Tuttle, a spokesman for Taser International, which makes the weapons, said Dr. Webster's research was flawed and did not reflect the way that Tasers were used in humans. The current from a Taser shock is dispersed through the body rather than running directly into the heart, Mr. Tuttle said in an e-mail statement. The earlier studies on pigs were financed by Taser International. The Justice Department paid for Mr. Webster's study, which is not yet completed. An abstract is posted on Dr. Webster's Web site, http://www.engr.wisc.edu/bme/faculty/webster_john.html
This is an excerpt. The rest can be read here:
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
The indiscriminate use of Taser is what 'grows' the antipathy towards this weapon.
While there are guidlines of course, the decision to use these instruments remains discretionary.
The good judgment of Authority as it applies to force. . .or restraint. . . is a factor that cannot be controlled. Except post facto. . .so to speak.
There are approximately 600 people in california on death Row . My suggestion is to wake them up each morning with a shot from a taser to see if these weopons are all that dangerous.
" The indiscriminate use of Taser is what 'grows' the antipathy towards this weapon."
OK. Let's just start shooting or clubbing violent people again.
Tasers save the lives of Perps AND Cops.
Are they 100% safe? No. Nothing is.
I am not totally against the use of tasers. . .but think the discretionary ante should be 'upped', somehow, re it's use. . .particularly when threat or supposed threat is under ten years old. . .or say. . a person over seventy. . .
Ok - well if the TASER is out, the just go back to smashing skulls with nightsticks and using bullets....
Ha ha ha ha...that is about the best comment on a Taser I believe I've ever seen.
Ha ha ha ha...that is about the best comment on a Taser I believe I've ever seen.
Any "pig" inviting a "police taser" should be at risk.
Hmmm. which is safer, a taser or a .38 cal at close range? Do we really need a scientific study/opinion on this one.
Why devices that emit thousands of volts of juice are not presumed to be potentially harmful comes from this transferance made of the fourth amendment "innocent until proven guilty, for all chemicals and devices, common sense notwithstanding."
Tasers have never been thoroughly tested and are now suspected in 168 deaths nationwide. Better a little night stick work if it avoids the head and kneecaps, where necessary to subdue a perp.
use .45 cal hollow point and leave no question
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