Aspiration-related pneumonia after Taser exposure - A multiple causations mechanism.

Arrest-related death Aspiration pneumonia Conducted electrical weapon Forensic medicine Taser

Journal

Forensic science international
ISSN: 1872-6283
Titre abrégé: Forensic Sci Int
Pays: Ireland
ID NLM: 7902034

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
15 Jul 2021
Historique:
received: 22 04 2021
revised: 17 06 2021
accepted: 11 07 2021
pubmed: 24 7 2021
medline: 24 7 2021
entrez: 23 7 2021
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

Arrest-related deaths in the context of Conducted Electrical Weapon (CEW) deployment are rare. The evaluation of such complex events is a challenge for the forensic scientist. We present a case of a 49-year old man, who was exposed to a Taser X26P during a confrontation with the police. He lost consciousness, vomited, aspirated and died after having been hospitalized for several days at the ICU. Based on the patient´s medical history, autopsy findings, witness testimonies, and reliable clinical and toxicological blood parameters, the most probable cause and mechanisms of his death are discussed. The present work demonstrates, based on one case report, the possibilities as well as limitations of forensic assessment in CEW-related deaths.

Identifiants

pubmed: 34298206
pii: S0379-0738(21)00226-7
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110906
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Case Reports

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

110906

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflict of interest This article is a result of forensic reconstruction work, which was done for the district prosecutor and police. The research was not funded. Plenzig S, Gruber H and Verhoff MA have no actual or potential conflict of interest to declare. Kunz SN is a member of the scientific medical advisory board of Axon Int.

Auteurs

S Plenzig (S)

Institute of Forensic Medicine Frankfurt, Germany; Goethe, Universität Frankfurt, Germany.

M A Verhoff (MA)

Institute of Forensic Medicine Frankfurt, Germany; Goethe, Universität Frankfurt, Germany.

H Gruber (H)

Institute of Forensic Medicine Frankfurt, Germany; Goethe, Universität Frankfurt, Germany.

S N Kunz (SN)

Institue of Forensic Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Germany; Ulm University, Germany. Electronic address: Sebastian.kunz@uniklinik-ulm.de.

Classifications MeSH