Injuries Produced by Law Enforcement Use of Less Lethal Weapons:
A Prospective Multi-center Trial
Principal Investigator: William P. Bozeman, MD, FACEP
Study Coordinator: Anita Hege, RN, MPH
Study Overview and History:
Funded in 2005 by the National Institute of Justice, the LLW study was originally designed to collect data for 2 years. The study’s aim is to prospectively track a cohort of subjects exposed to kinetic impact projectiles and/or conducted electrical weapons (CEW) / Tasers® during the course of their apprehension by law enforcement officers and to identify all injuries caused by the LLW. This is the first study of its type, and utilizes an innovative design that incorporates physician review and injury stratification into the police Use of Force investigation and review process.
After a resounding success in the first two years, additional funding was provided by the NIJ to continue data collection through 2010. From the originally designed study, the Less Lethal Weapons Study is evolving into an ongoing incident surveillance project. To date 1271 cases have been collected, making it the largest database of law enforcement less lethal weapon uses in the world.
· Latest News:
With the increasing availability of Conducted Electrical Weapons (Tasers®) to both law enforcement and civilians, there is also an increased potential for injuries, even when used appropriately. Tasers® are not non-lethal weapons; they are less lethal weapons and injuries and death sometimes occur. From the initial funding in 2005 through the current funding into 2010, the Less Lethal Weapons Study has collected the largest database reflecting injuries produced by law enforcement use of less lethal weapons. The primary results manuscript is in press. See this link at the NIJ website for a summary of initial results and ongoing efforts: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/technology/less-lethal/monitoring-ced-use.htm
Downloads:
"Injury Profile of Electrical Conducted Energy Weapons" (Abstract published in Annals of Emergency Medicine, Sept. 2007. n=597 cases)
"Injury Profile of TASER Electrical Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs)" (Poster presented at the American College of Emergency Physician's Scientific Assembly, Oct. 2007. n=962 cases)
Links:
NTOA www.ntoa.org
NIJ Less-Than-Lethal Technologies Program www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/sciencetech/text/tltl.htm
ACEP www.acep.org
SAEM www.saem.org
NAEMSP www.naemsp.org
ITEMS www.tems.org
Contact the Study Staff: LLWstudy@wfubmc.edu