Forensic reporting of TASER exposure: An examination of situational and exposure characteristics.
The current study examines the content of autopsy reports (N = 184) for deaths that occurred following TASER exposure by police. Guided by previous research and national autopsy standards for other weapon-specific deaths, we evaluate 1) whether reports document situational characteristics of the police-citizen encounter and 2) whether reports document characteristics of the TASER exposure. We find a large portion of reports are often missing a police report summary and information regarding the TASER exposure. Considering the expanding use of TASERs by police, we emphasize the importance of creating national standards that require documentation of police report summaries, TASER injuries, and TASER logs.
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Ave., Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85004-0685, USA. Electronic address: Natalie.Todak@asu.edu.
Natalie Erin
NE
Todak
Arizona State University, USA. Electronic address: gcesar@asu.edu.
Gabriel T
GT
Cesar
Arizona State University, USA. Electronic address: Brooks.Louton@asu.edu.
Brooks
B
Louton
D057667:Conducted Energy Weapon Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004282:Documentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D016495:Police; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
Arrest-related death; Autopsy; CED; Medical examiner; Police; TASER