LED Incapacitator

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Cross-sectional diagram of the "Incapacitator", from a DHS newsletter
Cross-sectional diagram of the "Incapacitator", from a DHS newsletter[1]

The LED Incapacitator (Light Emitting Diode) is a powerful weapon designed like a flashlight. It emits an extremely bright, rapid, and well-focused blue wave of 'differently-colored random pulses.' Before the human eyes can focus in on one frequency, another frequency comes on, causing intracranial pressure, which results in cluster headaches, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, irritability, and visual impairment to the target (opponent). [2][1][3][4][5]

The weapon is only to be used as a means of protection with law enforcement officials, such as the border patrol and police. The light emitted is capable of rendering opponents temporarily blind, so they can be easily subdued. But there is recent controversy, especially coming from online contributors and bloggers, where they state that the weapon is truly a fad for law enforcement men/women, and that they use the weapon as a toy.

If the weapon is seen as a fad, well then it is being improperly operated and is prone to causing bodily injury to the opponent, even death, if the light is to be flashed at someone whom is driving (police pursuit) and then fatally crashes.

Other voices, such as those coming from medical school students, also state that the light produced can cause permanent damage to neurological brain cells, and with improper use, can cause a cerebral hemorrhage, a sudden burst of blood in the brain, which can result in a later stroke.[citation needed]

According to a DHS newsletter, the weapon works

"By simultaneously overwhelming the subject both physiologically (temporarily blinding him) and psychophysically (disorienting him). A built-in range finder measures the distance to the nearest pair of eyeballs. Then, a “governor” sets the output and pulse train (a series of pulses and rests) to a level, frequency, and duration that are effective, but safe. The colors and pulses continuously change, leaving no time for the brain or eyes to adapt. After a few minutes, the effects wear off."[1]

The manufacturer, Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS), has been awarded an $800,000.00 contract by the United States Department of Homeland Security's Small Business Innovation Research Office. As of August, 2007, the first phase of the contract, which calls for the development of a prototype, has been completed. Later phases involve the testing of the prototype by the Institute of Nonlethal Defense at Pennsylvania State University, and the development of a production version, planned to be more compact and easier to carry.[2][1][5]

Bob Lieberman, president of IOS, envisions the device being used in "confrontations at border crossings with suspected illegal aliens or drug runners" among other possibilities.[1] Projected users include "air marshals, border patrol agents, other officers with the Transportation Security Administration and customs officers" according to Gerald Kirwin of IOS.[3] "In that few seconds, the officer has a tactical advantage and will actually close in to subdue or control the potential adversary," Lieberman said.[4] The device can be used from ranges of up to 30 feet, while other non-lethal devices require an officer to approach the target much more closely, according to Lieberman.[4]

However, some have questioned the desirability of developing and deployiong such a device for such uses. Deborah Notkin, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association said: "It gives me pause, particularly in regards to Mexico. Mexico is a very important economic partner of ours. I would imagine that Mexico wouldn't be particularly happy with us using a device that would be more appropriate for criminals, not just for people trying to get across the border who are looking for better opportunities."[3]

Peter Herby, head of the legal division of the "mines-arms unit" at the International Committee of the Red Cross, suggests that such a device may raise many of the same issues as have arisen with laser-based blinding weapons, known as "dazzlers" because of the intense light with which they temporarily or permanently blind people. He also raises the issue of a possible black market in such weapons. "Once they're in the hands of bad guys are the police going to have to wear protective gear to prevent them[selves] from being dazzled?" Herby states that he is not familiar with this specific device.[3]

However Lieberman of IOS says: "We're taking great care to make sure the intensities we're using fall within eye-safe limit. We're doing medically supervised tests."[3]

Glenn Shwaery, a researcher into nonlethal technology at the University of New Hampshire, says "If you disorient or distract somebody and cause them to look away, then they can't focus on their task, which could be aiming a weapon at someone, or looking at a screen with sensitive information, or dialing a phone."[5] Shwaery says that an LED-based device could be safer than a laser-based device intended to achieve the same effects "Getting an eye-safe wavelength with a laser has been very difficult."[5] Shwaery says that the presence of a range-finder and circuitry to modify the intensity of the light depending on the range in the LED device increases its safety. "The ideal goal for nonlethal technologies is that they be scalable."[5] It is set to be released in early 2008.


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Enough to Make You Sick. S&T Snapshots. Department of Homeland Security: Science and Technology Directorate (2007 July). Retrieved on 2007-08-08.
  2. ^ a b "Flashlight Weapon Makes Targets Throw Up", Fox News online, FOX News Network, LLC, August 07, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-08. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Hall, Mimi; Eric Moreno. "Is this a real-life 'light saber?'", USA Today online, 8 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-08. "The Homeland Security Department is aiming to arm federal agents with a light-saber-type weapon that emits a dazzling strobe capable of subduing criminals, terrorists and even unruly airline passengers." 
  4. ^ a b c Altman, Larry. "Torrance firm sees the nonlethal 'light'", DailyBreeze.com, Los Angeles Newspaper Group, August 08, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-08. 
  5. ^ a b c d e Patel-Predd, Prachi. "The Incapacitating Flashlight: DHS Is Developing an LED Flashlight That Makes Culprits Vomit", ABC News: Technology & Science, ABCNews Internet Ventures, 6 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-08. 

[edit] External links