NCJ Number
233526
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: S1 Dated: January 2011 Pages: S229-S233
Date Published
January 2011
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this technical note is to address specific questions that may be generated when examining the results of exposure to conducted energy weapons (CEWs) on central venous hematocrit.
Abstract
CEWs are used by law enforcement personnel to incapacitate individuals quickly and effectively without intending to cause lethality. CEWs have been deployed for relatively long or repeated exposures in some cases. In laboratory animal models, central venous hematocrit has increased significantly after CEW exposure. Even limited applications (e.g., three 5-sec applications) resulted in statistically significant increases in hematocrit. Preexposure hematocrit was significantly higher in nonsurvivors versus survivors after more extreme CEW applications. Comparisons among results of CEW applications, other electrical muscle stimulation, and exercise/voluntary muscle contraction are included in this review. The anesthetized swine appears to be an acceptable animal model for studying changes in hematocrit and associated red blood cell changes. Potential detrimental effects of increased hematocrit, and considerations during law enforcement use, are discussed.(Published Abstract)