The neurocognitive effects of simulated use-of-force scenarios

Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2014 Mar;10(1):9-17. doi: 10.1007/s12024-013-9510-y. Epub 2013 Nov 9.

Abstract

While the physiologic effects of modern conducted electrical weapons (CEW) have been the subject of numerous studies, their effects on neurocognitive functioning, both short-term and long-term, are less well understood. It is also unclear how these effects compare to other use-of-force options or other arrest-related stressors. We compared the neurocognitive effects of an exposure to a TASER(®) (TASER International, Inc, Scottsdale, AZ) X26™ CEW to four other use-of-force scenarios during a training exercise using a well-established neurocognitive metric administered repeatedly over 1 h. Overall, we found that there was a decline in neurocognitive performance immediately post-scenario in all groups, but this effect was transient, of questionable clinical significance, and returned to baseline by 1 h post-scenario.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aerosols
  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / psychology
  • Cognition*
  • Conducted Energy Weapon Injuries / diagnosis
  • Conducted Energy Weapon Injuries / psychology
  • Dogs
  • Electroshock / psychology
  • Escape Reaction
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Irritants / adverse effects
  • Law Enforcement*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reaction Time
  • Running / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Time Factors
  • Violence / psychology
  • Weapons
  • Wounds and Injuries / diagnosis
  • Wounds and Injuries / etiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / psychology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Irritants