Australian man bursts into flames after being tasered

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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:11 am

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/5874998/Man-bursts-into-flames-after-being-hit-by-Taser.html

The use of tasers in the UK has become quite controversial but I'm only posting this because it caught my eye as something quite bizarre. Apparently the man had been glue sniffing, which explains why there was such an extreme result.

On a side note, on checking all the records of discharges, one UK police officer even managed to taser himself with an accidental discharge, and after human beings, tasers were most frequently used on dogs, which puts some very weird mental images in my mind.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5602424/Police-Taser-themselves-sheep-and-pets-by-accident.html

Apparently even a sheep was tasered, and on another occassion an 89 year old man was hit too.

I know I shouldn't find it amusing - but sadly I do.

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:28 am

Quote:

Apparently the man had been glue sniffing, which explains why there was such an extreme result.

Actually he'd been sniffing petrol, but it does explain what happened, true.

train boi Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 697

I'd really like to see a lad getting tazed that would be funny

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:41 am

^^especially whilst sniffing petrol. Twisted Evil

train boi Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 697

^^ and smoking a cheap cigerette

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:40 am

With more and more agencies issuing their cops taser guns, the number of officers injured while taking a resisting suspect into custody has dropped dramatically.

They are small enough to carry on the officers gun belt so he or she always has assess to it unlike a beanbag gun or a pepperball gun. Some agencies allow the tasers to be carried in lieu of a baton or PR24.

I am all for anything that makes the job of police officers safer.

Baiting Guru Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3193

They tasered him on the bridge of his nose? He's lucky he wasn't blinded.

I find this all highly unlikely. I would be surprised if a taser could ignite petrol vapour when used at range, but not very surprised.

On the other hand the head-shot and the pouring petrol on his face seem to be trying to explain what happened.

To my mind it is just as likely that there was enough petrol vapour around from random spillage and evaporation to cause the initial burn. It's just as likely that the lighter he was carrying started the fire. Maybe the muscle contractions from being tasered caused him to ignite it.

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:10 pm

Quote:

A police spokesman said a male police officer fired the Taser when Mr Mitchell ran at police with the petrol container and refused to stop when officers repeatedly told him to.

A 35 year old inhalant abuser? He was probably almost functionally brain dead, anyway. He probably thought he was running away from the cops.

Wannabe Baiter Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 90

Both my brother and father work in a jail. The chief asked them to come to the garage for a demonstration. They pepper sprayed a spot on the concrete floor, layed the two ends of a taser, and lit it up. It caught fire. The chief said, that if you have pepper sprayed an inmate, and you hear "Taser!", RUN!
Of course it could be the propellant that ignites, but still. They might have changed the composition so they don't light anyone on fire. This was about 5 years ago.

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:58 pm

'The incident took place in the West Australian remote desert community of Warburton...'

Brings a whole new meaning to lightly toasted!

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:59 pm

"Throw another junkie on the barbie, Sheila."

Baiting Guru Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 12237

The Taser is a nice option to have available. It has received bad press, but sometimes, without that tool, the only other option would be a .45 caliber hole in the suspects chest cavity.

**Note to dipshits, don't soak yourself in gasoline, nothing good can come from that.

Edit:

bumsnacks wrote:

They pepper sprayed a spot on the concrete floor, layed the two ends of a taser, and lit it up. It caught fire.

99% of propellants used in chemical irritants is now non-flammable. There is still some old old stuff out there in the wild, but it is rare.

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:45 pm

^^^

You're right pfrank. Because of some isolated incidents involving alcohol based OC (pepper spray) deliver systems and tasers, most of the alcohol based systems have been removed. They have been replaced with non-flammable delivery methods which evaproate faster than the previously used alcohol. The evap factor is important becuase the OC is not effective until contact is made with the skin or mucous membranes. When the delivery substance evaps the oil makes contact.

Tasers are a great psychological deterrant. Often times the weapon only need be threatened or displayed to gain compliance from an active resister. There is a great example from the U.S. show "COPS" is two officers dealing with a very large, well muscled individual at a domestic violence call. The gentleman is easily two to three times bigger than the officers attempting to cuff him (one cannot even get his hands aroung the suspect's wrist!). The officers warn that resistance to lawful commands will result in the use of a taser upon the individual. Sure enough the big guy gets squirrely (no offense SOOI) and the taser is deployed. The big guy ccries like a baby and immediately apologizes to the officers for not listening! Allows himself to be secured in cuff and no further incident occurs. Post incident, the subject is amazed that a guy like him for his size was brought down by the taser.

419Eater is my life Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 365

I'm doing research now on whether or not I will issue TASERS to my Officers. There are pros and cons to TASERS. Over the last few years I have personally seen more and more people immune to the pepper spray. I have even had a "career criminal" tell me that he regularly sprays himself with pepper spray to help become immune to it. When you are a Police Officer in a rural jurisdiction you need the upper hand, one that works. Normally, backup for my Officers are 15 minutes away. A long time when you are confronted with a hostile perp that's immune to pepper spray.
If a proper Policy and Procedure are in place with the LE agency regarding the use of TASERS, you should have no problem, but still,doing my research.

Thanks Ghost, kinda had a feeling you would feel that way Wink

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

Ghost wrote:

With more and more agencies issuing their cops taser guns, the number of officers injured while taking a resisting suspect into custody has dropped dramatically.

They are small enough to carry on the officers gun belt so he or she always has assess to it unlike a beanbag gun or a pepperball gun. Some agencies allow the tasers to be carried in lieu of a baton or PR24.

I am all for anything that makes the job of police officers safer.

Seconded. I felt it was so important to post this, I'm eating into my 22 minutes of internet time for 1 euro 50 Laughing

EDIT: Jumping Jesus fuck - loving the new tag Twisted Evil

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:45 am

It's all kind of subjective, I think. If you're the guy (or gal) having some 6ft 6 lunatic coming at you with a machete, I guess you'd see tasers as a nice idea.

Baiting Guru Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 12237

PsycheDelia_Smith wrote:

If you're the guy (or gal) having some 6ft 6 lunatic coming at you with a machete

In that scenario, I would stick with my trusty Glock Model 21.

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:43 am

That'll do it, but the Coppers over here don't have that option (on normal duty).

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