A study by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RMCP) shows that a third of taser victims require medical attention.
Canadian Broadcasting System (CBCNews.ca):
One-third of people shot by Taser need medical attention: probe
RCMP officers are required to fill out a form if they draw a taser weapon. In a study of 3,226 such forms, 910 people (28%) were taken to medical facilities. But that's not the whole story:
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Originally Posted by CBC News
But a detailed examination of the forms revealed that many more people are injured, yet never see a doctor.
In three years worth of reports obtained under Access to Information legislation, people suffered injuries including burns, puncture wounds from the probes, and head wounds from falling. In many cases, however, the person was not taken for medical treatment.
More recent forms had the sections on injuries blacked out. The investigation suggests some of those incidents resulted in injuries that are not included in the 28 per cent figure.
For example, in one incident report, a person shot with a Taser suffered "burn marks from touch stun mode" but was not examined at a medical facility.
In another example, a person suffered "multiple skin burns where Taser came into contact with subject while fighting with police" but he was not taken to be examined.
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A University of Toronto cardiologist studying the effects of tasers on pigs concluced that "multiple hits with a stun gun can cause heart stress".
CBC also found that RCMP officers tend to disregard RCMP policies with regard to taser usage:
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Originally Posted by CBC News
The CBC investigation into Taser use has also found that RCMP officers are likely to fire their electronic stun guns multiple times during an altercation, despite a policy that warns it may pose health risks.
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08-24-2008, 02:46 PM
CBC News: Third of Taser Victims Need Medical Attention
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