IN-CUSTODY DEATH QUESTIONS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Obtain as much info as possible from the actual operators regarding the incident
Immediately contact TASER Int’l for guidance and assistance: Mark Johnson, Director of Technical Programs at 800978-2737 x 2003 & Mark@TASER.com.
Time between TASER device application and pronouncement of death is critical
Circumstances regarding arrest
Distance fired, probe spread, location and duration of cycles
TASER device effects (any change in behavior?)
Subject’s influence (drugs, alcohol, EDP)
Any other use of force used?
Medical Examiner’s contact info or supporting info from medical attendants/ER.
Hospital exam information (if conducted)
Don’t overreact. Take time to analyze the situation and the potential causes of death prior to drawing any conclusions.
Prepare media statement and provide media with as much info about TASER non-lethal devices

After an in-custody death occurs, the following should be answered:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•

What was the subject behavior and demeanor prior to use of force?
Distance from the TASER operator to subject?
Location of probes on the body?
What was the time between TASER device application and pronouncement of death?
Did the probes penetrate skin?
Was a drive stun application attempted? If yes, what area of the body was this applied?
What type of clothing was on the subject?
Distance between probes?
Did the TASER device change the subject's behavior?
How?
Was the subject incapacitated?
Did the operator hear the TASER fire? Was it loud or quiet?
What was the subject's reaction after the TASER deployment?
Were attempts made to apprehend subject during TASER cycle?
If not, why?
Were other control techniques used such as hands on, pepper, baton, K-9, etc?
If yes, what was the subject's reaction to these techniques?
Was a second cycle applied to the same Air Cartridge probes or was a second Air Cartridge fired?
Was there an Air Cartridge loaded in the secondary cartridge carrier?
Was a separate TASER device fired?
Did the subject pull the probes out?
If yes, after the cycle?
If no, did the subject break the wires or were the stepped on or tangled up on the subject?
Was the Air Cartridge taken as evidence?
What was the pulse rate of the TASER device used (strong and fast, slow and dying?)
Was the TASER device cycle loud during the shot?
What type of batteries were used? (NiMH or alkaline if M26)
Was a dataport download conducted and saved?

© 2004 TASER International, Inc. TASER®, Shaped Pulse™ and the Globe & Lightning Bolt Logo are trademarks of TASER International, Inc.

MEDIA INFO:
•
•
•

•

Provide media the following contact info: www.TASER.com
Primary Contact is: Steve Tuttle, TASER International’s VP of Communications at 800-978-2737 x 2006 &
Steve@TASER.com
PIO should have a crisis plan to handle an in-custody death and should remind media:
− “Electricity does not linger in the body”
− “The electrical output is several magnitudes less than that of a cardiac defibrillator and even these won’t damage
cardiac tissue even in the presence of strong narcotics”
− “Defibrillators are at 300 Joules per pulse vs. 1.76 Joules per pulse of the ADVANCED TASER M26 and 0.36
Joules per pulse for the TASER X26 ”
There are a lot of medical documents that should be distributed to the reporters. Have the reporters download these
from the following web site: http://www.taser.com/facts/index.htm

© 2004 TASER International, Inc. TASER®, Shaped Pulse™ and the Globe & Lightning Bolt Logo are trademarks of TASER International, Inc.