When Tasers Miss the Mark: How Size, Clothing, and Placement Can Undermine Non‑Lethal Police Tools

Last Monday, the bright lights of Times Square were dimmed by a grim scene: a woman armed with kitchen knives lunged at strangers, leaving one victim dead and another wounded. Police responded with their standard non‑lethal option – Tasers – but the devices simply didn’t work the way they’re supposed to.

Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters that officers fired multiple rounds of the electrical weapons, yet the suspect, 49‑year‑old Pamela Cisneros, kept advancing. “The Tasers were ineffective,” Tisch said, “and the subject continued toward our officers with the knives.”

So why did the electricity fail to stop her? Experts point to a few key factors, most of which have to do with the suspect’s physical characteristics and what she was wearing.

First, body mass matters. The larger a person’s torso, the greater the distance the probe must travel to reach vital muscles or the heart. In heavy‑set individuals, the electric charge can dissipate before it hits the intended target, especially if the darts embed in fatty tissue rather than muscle.

Second, clothing can act like an unwanted insulator. Thick jackets, layered fabrics, or even a simple winter coat can deflect the darts or reduce the voltage that actually reaches the skin. In Cisneros’s case, witnesses noted she was bundled up against the chilly evening air – a detail that likely hampered the Tasers’ effectiveness.

Third, probe placement is crucial. If the darts land too close together, or miss the torso entirely – perhaps striking an arm or a leg – the electric circuit isn’t completed properly. That means the suspect may feel a sting, but not the full incapacitating shock designed to collapse muscle control.

Police departments across the country have been studying these variables for years. A 2023 study from the University of Utah found that taser success rates drop dramatically when the target’s body mass index (BMI) exceeds 30, and when heavy outerwear is involved. The researchers recommend adjusting deployment tactics – like aiming higher on the chest or using a double‑shot approach – to improve outcomes.

Nonetheless, the Times Square incident sparked a broader conversation about the limits of non‑lethal force. Critics argue that relying on a tool that can be thwarted by something as simple as a coat is risky, especially in crowded urban settings where split‑second decisions matter.

Law‑enforcement officials counter that Tasers still reduce fatalities compared with firearms, and that training can mitigate many of the shortcomings. They’re exploring options such as higher‑voltage models, revised firing angles, and even integrating body‑scan data to predict the most effective shot placement.

For now, the tragic outcome in Times Square serves as a stark reminder: technology alone isn’t a silver bullet. Understanding the human variables – weight, attire, stance – remains essential if police hope to keep Tasers a reliable back‑up when guns are the last resort.