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Critical Event Assistance Resources 

Evidence Collection

 Content Editor Web Part ‭[3]‬

Suggested evidence collection checklist and resources to assist investigators.

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Indepedent Assistance

Arrest Related Scenarios/Field Studies

The mechanisms of death in many arrest related deaths are unclear. Unexplained arrest-related deaths have occured after the use of different types of uses of force. This research represents the latest research in Arrest Related Scenarios and Real World Research Studies.

For a complete listing of Electronic Control Device Research please contact us.

 Summary Link Web Part ‭[2]‬

Injury Profile/ Field Studies
Simulated Arrest Research

Medical Safety Research

Research of Interest for Arrest Related Death

- What is an evidence-based conclusion for a TASER ECD causing metabolic acidosis? 

While prolonged muscle activity does produce lactic acid, human studies of ECD exposures up to 15 seconds (or 3 cycles) have shown that there is no clinically significant increase in metabolic acidosis. Strong physical exertion (e.g., resisting law enforcement restraint) can lead to profound metabolic acidosis and measures to limit the period of resistance might be beneficial in already acidotic persons.

- What is an evidence-based conclusion with regard to a TASER ECD and ventricular fibrillation (VF)?  

The preponderance of the data, including all of the human studies, suggests that VF is not caused by ECDs in real-world usage. There is no evidence of important electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, or capture (pacing response of the heart to electrical stimulation), and finite element modeling (FEM) does not suggest a current density in real-world use able to induce fibrillation in humans. Also, epidemiological studies do not find that real-world human ECD use causes VF.

- What is an evidence-based conclusion as to whether a TASER ECD impairs breathing? 

The available human data directly contradicts animal studies and does not reveal any evidence of breathing impairment or respiratory acidosis.

What is the evidence-based conclusion regarding a TASER ECD exposure and rhabdomyolysis? 

It is reasonable to expect some elevation in markers of skeletal muscle injury consistent with participation in an athletic event; however, this elevation is not believed to be important in the sudden in-custody death phenomenon. Rhabdomyolysis does not cause injury for days after the inciting event and in the event of severe rises in CK, the clinical course is deteriorating renal function that can be treated with dialysis if needed.

For a complete listing of Electronic Control Device Research go to the Current Electronic Control Device Research Page or feel free to contact us with any questions.

 Summary Link Web Part ‭[3]‬

Cardiac Effect Research
Breathing Effect Research
Acidosis Research
Rhabdomyolysis Research

Media/PIO Resources

 Content Editor Web Part ‭[5]‬

 

The below samples are publicly available from the agency as well as internet and have been posted so the writer can use as a template if they have an event which is similar. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

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Legal Resources

 Content Editor Web Part ‭[4]‬

Independent Legal Resources

 Summary Link Web Part ‭[4]‬

Last Updated: 1/4/2010 4:21 PM