Estimating the probability that the Taser® directly causes human ventricular fibrillation

Abstract

This paper describes the first methodology and results for estimating the order of probability for Tasers® directly causing human ventricular fibrillation (VF). The probability of an X26 Taser® causing human VF was estimated using: (1) current density near the human heart estimated by using 3D finite-element (FE) models; (2) prior data of the maximum dart-to-heart distances that caused VF in pigs; (3) minimum skin-to-heart distances measured in erect humans by echocardiography; and (4) dart landing distribution estimated from police reports. The estimated mean probability of human VF was 0.001 for data from a pig having a chest wall resected to the ribs and 0.000006 for data from a pig with no resection when inserting a blunt probe. The VF probability for a given dart location decreased with the dart-to-heart horizontal distance (radius) on the skin surface.

Keywords:

• Finite-element method
• Cardiac stimulation
• Electromuscular incapacitating device
• Electrical safety
• Taser®
• Simulation

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by Grant No. 2004-IJ-CX-K036 awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of Justice.