================================================================ MindNet Journal - Vol. 1, No. 73 ================================================================ V E R I C O M M / MindNet "Quid veritas est?" ================================================================ The views and opinions expressed below are not necessarily the views and opinions of VERICOMM, MindNet, or the editors unless otherwise noted. Permission is given to reproduce and redistribute, for non-commercial purposes only, provided this information and the copy remain intact and unedited. Editor: Mike Coyle Assistant Editor: Rick Lawler Research: Darrell Bross ================================================================ PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES APPLICABLE TO DEVELOPMENT OF LESS-THAN-LETHAL WEAPONS Oak Ridge National Laboratory ---------------------------------------------------------------- Physiological Responses Applicable to Development of Less-Than-Lethal Weapons Sponsored by National Institute of Justice Oak Ridge National Laboratory Less-than-lethal weapons have a variety of applications in law enforcement, including rescuing hostages, stopping fleeing felons, and quelling prison disturbances. The National Institute of Justice is sponsoring a broad program to develop new techniques for "friendly force" as an alternative to the use of deadly force. As part of this program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is examining approaches based on known physiological responses to certain types of stimuli. These "weapons" would temporarily incapacitate an individual or a group with no lasting physiological damage. These concepts are based on ORNL's experience and expertise in biological-based systems and biophysical responses, particularly in evaluating the physical responses of humans to a variety of chemical, physical and radiological agents. ORNL also has extensive experience and expertise in risk analysis and in risk assessment and modeling. The ORNL less than-lethal weapons project sponsored by the National Institute of Justice began in September 1993. The following tasks are being performed: * Locate and compile data from tests, accidents, medical literature, etc. on biological and biophysical responses to energetic stimuli (such as electromagnetic fields). * Analyze the information and identify promising candidate mechanisms for further development for a friendly force application. * Evaluate the applicability of the proposed approaches to several realistic scenarios (such as hostage rescue or riot control). ORNL has already examined several possible concepts for less-than-lethal weapons based on known physiological responses to energetic stimuli, including a thermal gun, a seizure gun, and a magnetophosphene gun. A thermal gun would have the operational effect of heating the body to 105 to 107øF, thereby incapacitating any threat, based on the fact that even a slight fever can affect the ability of a person to perform even simple tasks. This approach is built on four decades of research relating radio frequency exposure to body heating. A seizure gun would use electromagnetic energy to induce epileptic-like seizures in persons within the range of a particular electromagnetic field. The magnetophosphene gun is designed around a biophysical mechanism which evokes a visual response and is thought to be centered in the retina, known as magnetophosphenes. This effect is experienced when a person receives a blow to the head and sees "stars". This same effect can be produced with electromagnetic energy. While there are a number of technical challenges to be overcome in building devices of these types, less-than-lethal weapons based on physiological responses to energetic stimuli would provide a safe and effective means of dealing with a number of law enforcement situations where use of deadly force is not desirable. For further information contact: Ray Downs, National Institute of Justice (202) 616-3509 Susan Sherrow, Oak Ridge Special Projects Office (615) 576-8024 Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Managed by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.