Some researchers have speculated that shocks from conducted energy weapons may induce excited delirium in resistant arrestees. But a new study serves to debunk that rumored risk. The speculation has centered on serotonin, an important chemical and neurotransmitter in the human body. Abnormally high levels of serotonin can be life-threatening, while producing some of the...Read More
A new study headed by an Advanced Force Science Specialist finds that an officer who confronts a subject in the throes of excited delirium stands nearly a 90% chance of ending up on the ground in a struggle with potentially serious consequences. The more symptoms of excited delirium a subject exhibits, the greater his likelihood...Read More
In reporting another new study of excited delirium, researcher Dr. Darrell Ross offers additional insights for improving the safety of officers and subjects alike in these fraught confrontations. The goal is not to train or expect officers to make clinical diagnoses in the field as psychiatric experts, Ross says. “But providing them with research findings...Read More
Most of Dr. Kroll’s presentation at the use-of-force conference (see: previous FSN) dealt with persistent myths about the alleged electrical dangers of CEWs, particularly claims that these control weapons can cause electrocution and fatal heart disruptions. The world’s most prolific inventor of cardiac-related medical devices, Kroll is renowned as one of the top international authorities...Read More
Important practical takeaways for officers on how best to deal with subjects in the throes of excited delirium are included in a recently published book on forensic medicine—and well worth roll call review, considering that these volatile encounters are expected to increase in the days ahead. The recommendations stress the critical importance of getting highly...Read More
More than 3.3 million darts from conducted energy weapons, including thousands that likely were contaminated with Staphlococcus aureus bacteria, have penetrated human skin. How many would you guess have caused infections? The best guess would be “zero,” according to what is believed to be the first scholarly paper to review this issue. The research group,...Read More
A medical research team trying to define the number and nature of civilian injuries at the hands of peace officers has deplored the lack of reliable single-source information on that topic. In a new study, the researchers had hoped to analyze data on law enforcement-related injuries and deaths of civilians for “racial/ethnic and gender patterns”...Read More
Results of a new study of sudden cardiac death suggest that some of the mysteries surrounding arrest-related fatalities are likely to remain unanswered for the foreseeable future and perhaps should simply be accepted as falling among unfortunate medical occurrences that often have no ready explanations. “Cases of SCD [sudden cardiac death] associated with altercation and...Read More
A lawsuit filed recently in the 9th federal circuit hinges on ADA considerations that may resonate with many agencies. In this case (LaDue v. City of Talent, et al.), a subject with a history of schizophrenia smoked a “synthetic cannabinoid” product and then later died in the throes of excited delirium during a confrontation with...Read More
A blue ribbon panel of experts assigned to determine “what is known and not known about the physiological and health effects associated with CEW use” has presented five “key findings” in a recently issued report: “[W]hile fatal complications [from CEW deployment] are biologically plausible, they would be extremely rare.” When a sudden in-custody death does...Read More
