35
7.4.12 The risk of inflicting pain or suffering so severe that it may amount to an
element of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
is especially high when a weapon is used in drive-stun mode to apply
electricity directly to an individual without incapacitating them. Such
applications may also raise the individual’s level of aggression, as a result
of the pain inflicted.108
7.5 KINETIC IMPACT PROJECTILES
UTILITY AND DESIGN
7.5.1 A range of kinetic impact projectiles are used by law enforcement officials
to tackle violent individuals, including as a less-lethal alternative to lethal
ammunition discharged by firearms. Various names are used to describe
kinetic impact projectiles, such as rubber bullets, plastic bullets, impact
rounds, baton rounds or bean bags.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF POTENTIALLY LAWFUL USE
7.5.2 Kinetic impact projectiles should generally be used only in direct fire with
the aim of striking the lower abdomen or legs of a violent individual and
only with a view to addressing an imminent threat of injury to either a law
enforcement official or a member of the public.
SPECIFIC RISKS
7.5.3 Targeting the face or head may result in skull fracture and brain injury,
damage to the eyes, including permanent blindness, or even death. The
firing of kinetic impact projectiles from the air or from an elevated position,
such as during an assembly, is likely to increase their risk of striking protesters
in the head. Targeting the torso may cause damage to vital organs, and there
may be penetration of the body, especially when projectiles are fired at close
See PERF and US Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2011
Electronic Control Weapon Guidelines, United States, p. 14; and European Court of Human
Rights, Konstantinopoulos and others v. Greece (No. 2), Judgment, 22 November 2018,
paras. 67–82.
108
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