title: [Analysis of death cases involved in TASER in the State of Maryland].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the features of autopsy cases involved in electronic weapon (TASER) in the State of Maryland, and to discuss the appraisable points.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen autopsy cases involving TASER were collected from 2004 to 2011 in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of Maryland. All the cases include detailed scene investigations, complete autopsy, toxicological analysis and histopathological examination. Statistical analysis were conducted including general information of victim, type of TASER, type of contact, toxicological results, manner and cause of death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority of victims were male with an acute onset of agitated and delusional behavior. Drugs were often involved. Deaths were attributed to multiple factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of cases involved in TASER resulted from multiple fatal factors. Further researches are needed for the principal mechanism. Thorough scene investigation and complete autopsy examination play crucial role in evaluation of such cases.
authors.affiliation: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of Maryland, Baltimore 21201, USA. ripplem@ocmemd.org
authors.forename: Mary G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ripple
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yi-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002423:Cause of Death; D003042:Cocaine / Q000032:analysis; D057667:Conducted Energy Weapon Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010622:Phencyclidine / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine; D010622:Phencyclidine