Why Tasers sometimes fail to stop suspects — and what weight has to do with it

Taser devices sometimes fail to incapacitate suspects due to factors including body composition and weight, according to law enforcement and medical research. During an incident in Times Square, multiple Taser deployments did not stop Pamela Cisneros. Researchers have found that increased body mass and muscle density can reduce the effectiveness of electrical stun devices by affecting current distribution through tissue. Taser manufacturer Axon has acknowledged in technical documentation that individual physiology influences device performance.

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