Zeitschrift für forensische Biomechanik

Abstrakt

Kinematic Analysis of Naive Shooters in Common Law Enforcement Encounters

Michael A Kantor, William J Lewinski, Hina Garg, Joel Tenbrink, Jeff Lau, Robert W Pettitt

Purpose: To kinematically analyze naive shooters during eight common shooting motions frequently encountered in previous assaults on Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs).

Methods: A total of 20 naïve male shooters (age=27 y ± 4 y; body weight=82 kg ± 14 kg; height=181 cm ± 6 cm) completed 3 trials of each stationary and dynamic movement wearing body sensor technology (ADPM Technologies, Portland, OR). Time to complete each of the eight motions was recorded in seconds. A laser point training pistol was fired at a paper silhouette shaped like a LEO. Kinematic motions were examined by descriptive analysis, variability within the trials assessed by a reliability analysis, and between group differences across each of the motion type categories determined by repeated measures ANOVAs.

Results: Times (s) for each shooting scenario were as follows: Shooting seated and facing toward the driver’s -side window (0.50 ± 0.25); shooting seated and facing toward the passenger’s side window (0.64 ± 0.29); waistband draw facing LEO (1.13 ± 0.21); shooting positioned 90° to target then fleeing (0.42 ± 0.12); shooting facing the target then turning 180° and fleeing (0.38 ± 0.11); with back facing target, rotating the torso, shooting, then fleeing (0.49 ± 0.12); fleeing, then shooting over the opposite shoulder (0.51 ± 0.14) and; fleeing then shooting under the opposite shoulder (0.64 ± 0.22). Standard error of measurements for the 3 trials ranged 0.04 s to 0.12 s. Time to back and head rotation in fleeing conditions ranged 0.41 s to 0.43 s following weapon discharge.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates rapid execution and consistency during eight common LEO encounters suggesting a short decision-making timeframe. Future research should examine the training and legal implications of these findings.