# When Someone is Tasered

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-is-tasered/372156>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 10, 2006, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-is-tasered/372156 "2006-09-10T13:00:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2006, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-is-tasered/372156/1 "2006-09-10T13:00:25Z")

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Cop A is wrestling around with the perp, trying to subdue him so he can cuff him. Cop B Tasers the perp. Since Cop A is touching the perp, will the current flow through both men and shock Cop A in the process?

PLEASE: No debating about the use of Tasers. This is a scientific/technical question about the nature of electric current vis a vis its use in the product known as a Taser, and not about the ethical issues related to the product’s use. Thank you.

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**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2006, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someone-is-tasered/372156/2 "2006-09-10T13:24:12Z")

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Since the taser darts pierce the skin, the resistance between the two darts is going to be much less than a current path that has to travel through the unbroken skin of the perp and the person who is touching him. I suspect that the cop might feel something, but most of the current is going to flow through the body of the perp.