Baton rounds

Bir et al." have analyzed the effect of blunt ballistic impact of a baton-type, less-lethal projectile on the thoracic region using human cadavers. She determined human-response corridors and developed biomechanical surrogates, which can be used for testing different new projectiles for their blunt ballistic impact. The human-response force corridor for blunt thoracic impact by a thermoplastic polyurethane-based baton round with 37 mm diameter, weighing 30 g, and traveling... 

Less common and unusual projectiles, such as exploding bullets saboted subcaliber bullets flare loads wax, rubber, plastic, and wooden bullets frangible bullets tear gas bullets and canisters baton rounds flechette cartridges poisoned bullets multiple loads shot loads for pistols and revolvers and other special purpose projectile types, are known and are occasionally encountered in forensic casework. 

As a consequence of a case in which the suspect alleged that the FDR on his person originated from contact with the inside of a police vehicle, from which baton guns had previously been fired, it was necessary to conduct a detailed examination of the baton round and the crime ammunition. 

Antimony was detected in the residue particles on the suspect and it was known that the baton round does not have antimony in the primer. However, it was required to prove that there was no antimony in any part of a baton round. Analysis of the baton round revealed that the cartridge case was... 

No antimony was detected anywhere in the baton round. Test firing the baton gun and sampling the firer also failed to reveal the presence of antimony in the discharge particles. Tin was present in some of the discharge particles. 

The absence of antimony in the baton round discharge particles proved that the residue on the suspect did not originate from this source. 

BATON ROUND 1.5738 mm BLACK POWDER 25L5A3 SPRA 7-75... 

BBC, Baton rounds more dangerous , British Broadcasting Corporation News, UK Edition, dated 4 August, 2003a. http //news.bbc.co.Uk/2/hi/uk news/northem ireland/29262325.stm. 

The use of all of these weapons is inevitably controversial and subject to intense press and scientific scrutiny. The debate about their use is often clouded by misconceptions and strongly held political and moral views. Although the use of baton rounds and water cannon is very unusual in the UK, chemical incapacitating sprays and TASER are now relatively common. 

Baton rounds are now approved for use on the UK mainland. First used in Hong Kong in the 1950s, they were used in Northern Ireland over a period of thirty years, usually for the control of public disorder incidents. 

Baton rounds are often erroneously referred to as rubber bullets. Mode of action... 

The baton round used currently in the UK is a polyurethane polymer cylinder weighing almost 100 g and 37 mm in diameter. A special weapon with an optical sight is required to fire it. The average velocity of a baton roimd once fired is approximately 75 metres per second. 

Baton rounds cause blunt injuries due to direct impact. These may range from bruising and laceration of the skin to serious or fatal internal injuries to the face, brain or thoraco-abdominal organs. Impact on the chest characteristically results in pulmonary contusion with bloodstained sputum and dyspnoea. 

Serious injuries may result if a baton round strikes the head, although the new version is much more accurate than previous ones and such impacts should be rare if the weapon is used in accordance with ACPO guidelines (Box 8.4). 

Box 8. 4 Association of Chief Poiice Officers (ACPO) ruies for baton round use... 

Baton rounds may only be fired at selected targeted individuals... 

Baton rounds may not be fired from less than 20 m or at the upper part of the body unless there is an immediate risk of loss of life or serious injury... 

Water cannons are designed to shoot a high-pressure water stream similar to a fire tender device. They can be used to control or disperse crowds during public disorder incidents. They cannot be used to target specific individuals, and have therefore been criticised as being indiscriminate and less useful at riot control than some other measures, such as baton rounds. Most of the advantage of such systems is that they are believed to act as a visible deterrent. 

TLiere is an extremely low worldwide incidence of life-threatening injuries as a result of water cannon use. However, it is well known that it is very difficult to differentiate injuries caused by water cannon from those caused by other potential sources of trauma such as baton rounds, hand-thrown projectiles or chemical incapacitating agents during public disorder incidents. 

Hunter S, Greaves I Baton rounds. Trauma 4 29-37, 200Z... 

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