yesThe length of this Bradford Non-Lethal Weapons Research Project Report No.7 again reflects
the interest related to non-lethal weapons from academics, research institutes, policy makers,
the police and the military.
A number of reports, particularly concerning the Taser electro-shock weapon, have been
published from these sectors since our last BNLWRP Report No.6 in October 2004. Some,
such as the Amnesty International (U.S. and Canada) have again raised, and stressed, the
concerns about the safety of the weapon and the number of deaths associated with its use.
Others, such as the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Human Effects Center of Excellence
(HECOE), Human Effectiveness and Risk Characterization of the Electromuscular
Incapacitation Device ¿ A Limited Analysis of the TASER. (March 2005) concluded that the
Taser was relatively safe, but that further research was needed into potential bio-effects, and
for continual development into a safer weapon. Reaction to these reports was mixed. Some
US legislators called for limitations on the use of Tasers, more accountability, and the
detailed recording of incidents in which they were used.1 Others called for a ban on their use
until more testing was carried out regarding their potentially harmful effects. A number of US
police forces stopped the use of Taser, slowed down the deployment and ordering of the
weapons, reviewed their rules of engagement and reporting, and revisited their operational
guidelines. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) published the Electro-
Muscular Disruption Technology (EMDT). A Nine-Step Strategy For Effective Deployment.
(April 2005) as a response to these growing concerns. Certain elements of the media,
especially The Arizona Republic2 and others, took a hostile view of what they considered the
scandal of the number of deaths and associated serious injuries caused by the Taser. Taser
International challenged allegations that their weapon was directly responsible for these
deaths and quoted reports, such as the Madison Police Department report (February 2005),
the study by McDaniel, W & Stratbucker, R & Nerheim, M & Brewer, J. Cardiac Safety of
Neuromuscular Incapacitating Defensive Devices (January 2005), and the U.K. DOMILL
Statement (March 2005) to support their view. The controversy continues.
Other than Tasers, there are still few reports of the newer non-lethal technologies actually
being deployed in operations. The exception to this is the Long Range Acoustic Device
(LRAD), which is now in widespread use in Iraq. Little additional information has appeared
regarding the `active denial¿ weapon we have described in previous reports
