AFTE Store - The Advanced TASER M26, X26: Forensic Considerations

The Advanced TASER system has quickly become the less lethal weapon of choice for law enforcement, military and civilian organizations. The Advanced TASER M26 is now deployed by over 4500 police agencies. With the introduction of the newest Advanced TASER, the X26 in May 2003 and the X26C in June 2004, there are now five TASER models that TASER International is distributing to both law-enforcement and civilian markets. Statistically, the M26 offers an exceptional incapacitation rate. However, several officer involved shootings were submitted to our laboratory where the M26 TASER application failed to adequately stop the subject and lethal force was necessary. Characteristics of the Advanced TASER components helped to provide clues helpful in the reconstruction of the event. It is important for the forensic firearms examiner to understand the dynamics, capabilities, and limitations of this device. With the proliferation of these weapons, it is possible you may be asked to analyze, reconstruct, and testify to the function of this Less-Lethal device. This material was presented at the 2001 and 2002 AFTE Conferences and the 2004 Tactical TASER Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.