A Taser is a less-lethal conducted energy weapon designed to temporarily incapacitate individuals through electrical impulses. These devices typically deploy two barbed darts connected by wires, delivering an electrical charge that disrupts voluntary muscle control. While Tasers are intended for specific target areas, such as the torso or legs, their application to the head is considered extremely dangerous and falls outside of their intended use. Targeting the head with a Taser can lead to severe and permanent harm.
The Head’s Vulnerability and Immediate Impact
The human head houses the brain. While the skull provides some protection, it cannot prevent electrical current from interfering with the brain’s normal signaling. When a Taser’s electrical current passes through the head, it can immediately disrupt brain activity.
The electrical pulses from a Taser are designed to overload the nervous system, causing widespread involuntary muscle contractions. When this occurs in the head, it can lead to immediate incapacitation. This disruption can manifest as a sudden loss of consciousness, confusion, or disorientation.
The rapid and uncontrolled muscle contractions can also cause the individual to collapse. This sudden fall can result in secondary head trauma as the head strikes a hard surface.
Severe Health Risks
Being tasered in the head carries a substantial risk of severe, lasting, and potentially life-threatening medical consequences. One of the most serious outcomes is traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can range from mild concussions to severe damage. Electrical current passing through the brain can cause thermal damage, neuronal cell death, and hemorrhages. These injuries can affect large parts of the brain, leading to devastating impairments.
Neurological damage is a significant concern, with potential effects including seizures, memory loss, and long-term cognitive impairment. Headaches, dizziness, and problems with concentration can persist for months or even longer after the incident. Direct impact from the Taser probes or secondary falls can also cause skull fractures, facial lacerations, and orbital floor fractures.
Cardiac arrest remains a potential risk, particularly if the current spreads or if the individual has pre-existing heart conditions. The stress of the event combined with the electrical shock can trigger adverse cardiac events. Ultimately, the severe injuries sustained from a Taser application to the head, including brain damage, can lead to permanent disability or even fatality.
Legal Ramifications
Applying a Taser to someone’s head can lead to serious legal consequences. This action is generally considered excessive force and can result in significant criminal charges. Depending on the jurisdiction and the extent of the injury, charges may include assault.
The use of a Taser, particularly in a manner that causes severe injury to the head, often elevates the charge to aggravated assault. A Taser can be considered a deadly weapon, and its use against the head can cause serious bodily injury. In some regions, assaulting someone with a stun gun or Taser is specifically defined as a felony.
If the individual suffers permanent brain damage, life-altering injuries, or death, the charges could escalate to attempted homicide or homicide. Beyond criminal prosecution, the person responsible may also face civil liability. This typically involves personal injury lawsuits seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.