Research backs the use of Tasers by police

According to new research from the United States few patients suffered ill effects which warranted them being hospitalised after police used a Taser to subdue them.

A study led by Dr. Jared Strote at the University of Washington Medical Center examined the medical records of nearly 900 patients subdued by the Seattle Police Department with a Taser over a six-year period and found that less than 1% required hospital admission for an injury related to the restraint incident and no deaths occurred, even when patients showed signs of excited delirium.

Another study also led by Dr. Strote looked at every use of force by the Seattle Police Department in one year and found that despite nearly 900 incidents, injuries related to the use of force were rare and again just over 1% needed to be admitted to hospital - the two deaths which did occur were both due to the use of firearms.

The researchers say that injuries inflicted by police officers in the process of subduing suspects are relatively rare but there is often a high incidence of drug and alcohol use and psychiatric history among those being restrained.