New concern over Taser death toll

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7784665.stm

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Claims that more than 300 people have been killed by Taser guns in the USA have led to renewed concern about their use in Northern Ireland.

Amnesty International said it did not want any expansion of the use of the weapon which administers an electric shock to those targeted.

The charity's comments come as a report shows that 334 people have died since 2001 as a result of being 'tasered'.

NI police officers have had the option to use Tasers since January.

They have done so twice.

However, Amnesty said it was worried that use of the device would be expanded as in the USA.

The report analyses information from 98 autopsies taken from coroners and medical examiners reports.

The report claims that the device "is inherently open to abuse and is not always used in accordance with international standards".

Amnesty said the report found that 90% of those who died after being struck with a Taser were unarmed, and many did not appear to present a serious threat.