title: [Medical aspects of common non-lethal weapons].
abstract: The development and provision of non-lethal weapons (NLW) allow military and law enforcement personnel to exploit gradual engagement in countering potentially hazardous threats. Chemical, kinetic and electrical weapons systems are used to curb violence in civilian crowds. With inappropriate usage, these technologies can cause potentially fatal injuries that are not only of clinical, but also of legal relevance. In this context, the practicing physician is faced with treatment as well as assessment issues of new forms of injuries. In order to assure medical care and to be able to draw competent expert's conclusions, a detailed knowledge of the medical effects of these NLW is necessary. The review at hand presents today's most popular NLW and gives an overview of their possible injury potential and required treatments.
authors.affiliation: IFFB Gerichtsmedizin und Forensische Neuropsychiatrie, Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg-Linz, Ignaz-Harrer-Str. 79, 5020, Salzburg, Österreich, sebastian.kunz@sbg.ac.at.
authors.forename: Sebastian Niko
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kunz
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grove
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Monticelli
mesh_terms: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D057667:Conducted Energy Weapon Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008887:Military Medicine; D012305:Riots; D013665:Tear Gases / Q000009:adverse effects; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054041:Weapons
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D013665:Tear Gases