Spent Shell Casing Ejection Patterns from Semi-Automatic Firearms

Goal: To evaluate the precision of spent shell casing ejection patterns from common semi-automatic weapons in determining shooter location.

Impact: This study demonstrates the impreciseness in spent shell casing ejection patterns determining shooter location even when accounting for several variables including weapon type, weapon grip, motion, and ammunition type.

Attentional Shift Under Pressure

Goal: Measure the time it takes the average officer to detect, absorb and react to changes in their visual field while attempting to concentrate on and deal with a primary threat to their safety.

Impact: Results could change the way officers approach potentially dangerous situations. Not by making them paranoid, but by convincing them of the importance of planning ahead rather than attempting the impossible by trying to out-time a sudden, unexpected threat.”

Biomechanics of Force Confrontations & Identifying Pre-Attack Indicators

Goal: Study the movements and speed of suspects during certain force confrontations – primarily suspects lying prone on the ground with the hands hidden under their body – and identify visual cues that may constitute precursors of an armed assault.

Impact: Findings will reveal how long it takes a suspect to roll up enough from a face-down prone position to point a gun and fire at an officer, and spotlight early indications an officer might see as a warning that such a threat is being activated. The results will have major officer-survival implications.

Goal: Analyze various learning styles and develop science-based recommendations for methods by which the average officer will most effectively learn, practice and apply communications skills that could persuade even the most extreme individuals to cooperate and comply.

Impact: This study stands to revolutionize teaching methods and enhance learning capabilities and will ultimately increase officers’ effectiveness and safety in extreme encounters.

Goal: Identify the most effective ways to help officers move beyond simple base-level performance with force options to being highly skilled, proficient and wise.

Impact: This study will change the way officers perceive, approach and train for combative situations, enhance their decision-making abilities and ultimately increase officer safety and decrease poor – often dangerous – choices in force confrontations.