Zusammenfassung
Distanzelektroimpulswaffen wie der TASER® führen durch Übertragung hoher Spannung bei geringer Stromstärke zu einer willentlich nichtbeeinflussbaren, allgemeinen Muskelkontraktion mit konsekutiver Immobilisierung des Getroffenen. Die getroffene Person stürzt zu Boden und ist für die Dauer der TASER-Wirkung handlungsunfähig. Die Wiederholungsraten von 15–20 elektrischen Impulsen/s rufen eine klonische Muskelkontraktion hervor, ohne dabei einen glatten Tetanus zu initiieren. Trotz etlicher wissenschaftlicher Publikationen, die die Gefährlichkeit dieser Geräte bei fachgerechter Anwendung als niedrig einstufen, wird immer wieder von Todesfällen berichtet, die in relevanter zeitlicher Nähe zu einem Beschuss mit TASER®-Geräten stehen und deren Todesursache nicht abschließend geklärt werden konnte. Der vorliegende Beitrag setzt sich mit der Funktion und Wirkungsweise von Distanzelektroimpulswaffen auseinander und erörtert anhand aktueller wissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen mögliche, potenziell tödliche pathophysiologische Konsequenzen für den menschlichen Körper während und nach einer TASER-Applikation. Anhand der Darstellung eines Todesfalls nach einem TASER-Einsatz in Vancouver 2007 werden Grenzen und Möglichkeiten der forensischen Beweisführung bei konkurrierenden Todesursachen diskutiert.
Abstract
Electronic control devices (ECDs) deliver short high-voltage, low current energy pulses to temporarily paralyze a person by causing electrical interruption of the body’s normal energy pulses (electromuscular disruption, EMD). When a person is hit by the device there is immediate loss of control over the body, the person falls to the ground and is incapacitated for the duration of electrical stimulation. The impulse rate of 15–20 pulses per second causes uncontrolled muscle contraction, appearing as muscle spasms without initiating a prolonged tetanus. Despite many scientific publications which classify the health risks of an appropriate use of the TASER® device as minor, there are still a number of cases linked to the device with a fatal outcome. Based on the current literature, the following article describes the mechanisms by which the device operates and discusses potentially dangerous pathophysiological consequences for the human body. On the basis of a fatal TASER® application during a police operation in Vancouver 2007 the possibilities and limitations of forensic reasoning on fatalities are discussed.
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Kunz, S., Monticelli, F. & Kaiser, C. Tod durch Elektroschockdistanzwaffen. Rechtsmedizin 22, 369–373 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00194-012-0848-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00194-012-0848-3