Citation

Kunz SN, Grove N, Fischer F. Forensic Sci. Int. 2012; 221(1-3): 1-4.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.02.014

PMID

22421323

Abstract

Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) deliver short high-voltage, low current energy pulses to temporarily paralyze a person by causing muscular contraction. The narrative of this article is a methodical analysis on acute pathophysiological changes within the central nervous system, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, sympatho-adrenergic and muskuloskeletal system which can occur after application of conducted electrical weapons on human subjects. The results are based on wide-ranging literature analysis and source studies. The majority of the recent scientific publications on humans classify the health risks of an appropriate use of the CEWs device as minor. However, there still is an uncertainty about possible side-effects of these devices. Therefore medical supervision with human application is advised.

Language: en