Term Paper on Oleoresin Capsicum
Spray
Oleoresin Capsicum sprays, as well, known as pepper spray. OC is a successful,
less-than-lethal self-protection tool which, when used correctly can be of great
profit civilians and law enforcement. Oleoresin Capsicum is the oily remove
(oleoresin) of the species Capsicum (peppers) and is a complex mixture of over
one hundred explosive compounds (DiMaio, DJ. and V.J. DiMaio, 1989). The active
ingredients of OC, i.e. those parts which cause the burning feeling and pain,
are called capsaicinoids, the most important one of which is called capsaicin
(Luke, J.L. and D.T. Reay, 1993). Capsaicin, and some other capsaicinoids, is
used as contemporary treatments for painful conditions, as they selectively have
an effect on a part of the nervous system involved with pain sensations,
resulting in the making of pain, with subsequent desensitization to pain. The
amount of each of the capsaicinoids, and the total capsaicinoid substance, of OC
sprays varies between dissimilar manufacturers and between batches, as the work
differs, based on species of capsicum, time harvested and portion of the plant
used (Escobedo, L.G., A.J. Ruttenber, M.A. Agocs, RF. Anda and C.V. Wetli,
1991). In the US, OC is not controlled by any authoritarian organizations
because it is a naturally occurring product. Even though there has been much
toxicological testing passed out on capsaicin over the years, this is not so for
OC as one or for several of the other capsaicinoids. As a result of this require
of toxicological information on OC, it was not considered appropriate for use in
the UK.
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The control of oleoresin capsicum is so great that it has become a well-liked
ingredient in personal defense sprays that have almost replaced tear gas
products such as Mace (Hirsch, C.S. and V.I. Adams, 1993). The tear gas products
had proven to be nearly unproductive against many violent attackers,
particularly those under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. In addition,
the tear gas products have a quite long reaction time of three to thirty
seconds. Oleoresin capsicum spray was built up at the University of Georgia by
Professor James H. Jenkins and Dr. Frank Hayes, D.V.M., in 1960. That method
under the brand name Halt Animal Repellant was first sold in 1963. Like tear
gas, oleoresin capsicum (OC) is non-lethal and induces provisional
incapacitation with no known enduring effects. In 1989 the Firearms Training
Unit (FTU) of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, completed three years of
rigorous research on OC, following which the FBI approved the use of OC for its
particular agents and SWAT teams. In addition, OC has confirmed effective
against domestic and wild animals with no endangering the animals or the
environment. OC, in proper provision systems, has been effectively used to stop
grizzly bear attacks in Alaska and ditch bulldog assaults in California and
Texas. The US Postal Service also issues OC to its letter carriers to guard them
from dog bites.
Increasing use of Oleoresin Capsicum spray devices (i.e., pepper spray, pepper
mace, OC, capsaicin) by law enforcement organizations as a means of sub fatal
force to control suspects has brought into question whether disclosure to this
irritant (capsaicin) can cause or contribute to unexpected in detention deaths
(Hirsch, C.S. and V.I. Adams, 1993). Capsaicin motivates nociceptors in exposed
mucous membranes to make strong pain, particularly involving the conjunctiva,
and generates systemic physiologic and behavioral responses consonant with such
great uneasiness.
Oleoresin Capsicum spray is an inciting agent, not like Mace or tear gas. When
sprayed in the face, Oleoresin Capsicum spray will cause temporary loss of sight
and restricted breathing. The effects of the spray last for 30 to 45 minutes.
This spray is non poisonous, nonflammable, and will not worsen with age. Each of
the spray units can be fired more than a few times at distances up to 20 feet
depending on the model (Escobedo, L.G., A.J. Ruttenber, M.A. Agocs, RF. Anda and
C.V. Wetli, 1991).
The utilize of Oleoresin Capsicum spray is growing between law enforcement
agencies, popularized by its effectiveness in momentarily incapacitating
subjects, with negligible risk of injury to officer and suspect (DiMaio, DJ. and
V.J. DiMaio, 1989). Most departments categorize OC within the range of force at
the level of soft, empty-hand control. Any death-in-custody is an extremely
charged circumstance for both law enforcement and the forensic pathologist, and
events involving the use of comparatively novel plans such as OC receive special
inspection from the public, the media, and citizen "watchdog" groups.
One of the reasons for the widespread approval of OC sprays is the fact that
they conquer some of the problems associated with CN and CS products. Specially,
the OC sprays are effective in producing instant blepharospasm and
incapacitation of approximately all subjects including those who are under the
influence or mentally ill (Escobedo, L.G., A.J. Ruttenber, M.A. Agocs, RF. Anda
and C.V. Wetli, 1991) and they are also effectual against animals. Beyond these
advantages, there are no known long-standing toxic effects produced exclusively
by the topical application of OC, and there is no environmental contagion
problems linked with its use.
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Law Enforcement officers have different purposes for carrying protection sprays
than do civilians. For civilians, besides hand-to-hand combat, self-protection
sprays are frequently the first and only means of defense obtainable. For this
reason, it is completely imperative that civilians carry the most effectual
products possible. Ideally, the spray will totally debilitate the attacker and
let the victim to escape and call the police. If the attacker is able to get in
touch with local law enforcement immediately, there is a very good possibility
that the law enforcement officers will be able to catch the attacker (Mittleman,
RE. and J.J. Davis, 1991). If not, a report and an ultraviolet dye will mark the
attacker to the sight of the crime. Civilians should carry a protection spray,
which debilitates the attacker for as long as possible.
Law Enforcement officers take defense sprays as their first means of protection.
They use them with the intention to without delay gain control of executor
(Luke, J.L. and D.T. Reay, 1993). After the executor is restrained by handcuffs,
there is no need for the executor to carry on feeling the effects of the spray.
For the reason that the effects caused by tear gas and tear gas/red pepper
blended sprays last longer, many agencies opt for OC only products since they
disperse quicker (Reay, D.T., C.L. Fligner, A D. Stilwell and J. Amold, 1992).
OC is not an irritant. It is a provocative agent; and this makes all the
dissimilarity in the world. When a person is sprayed with OC two things happen
instantaneously; first, the person's eyes hold tightly shut, hard. Not only
that, but if they do handle to force them open they still can't see as the OC
opens the capillaries and causes temporary blindness. Second, an instant fit of
unmanageable coughing doubles the person over since the OC causes instant
irritation of the breathing tissues, restricting all but life support breathing.
OC has the influence of putting up a brick wall between an attacker and the
sprayer as one police instructor has put it, "it’s like being hit with a fire
thrower!" (Reay, D.T., C.L. Fligner, A D. Stilwell and J. Amold. 1992) An
attacker who's sprayed with OC prevents what they're doing, stops what they're
thinking, period. This is right even for those who are drunk, on drugs, or
psychotic. OC works tremendously well on animals, even though most versions are
not made for this intention.
The effects of OC spray comprise (1) dilation of the capillaries and immediate
closing of the eyes through swelling of the eyelids, (2) instant respiratory
inflammation, including out of control coughing, retching, shortness of breath
and out of breath with a gagging feeling in the throat, and (3) instant burning
feelings to the mucous membranes, skin and inside the nose and mouth.
Future of OC spray and conclusion
Oleoresin Capsicum is an effectual alternative to the use of lethal force, and
that, which is considered to debilitate, e.g. the defensive baton. An unexpected
advantage was the optimistic effect it had upon morale by members who were
skilled in using the product. Members responding to incidences involving the
threat of physical harm or injury find that Capsicum offers them with an
effectual alternative to physical confrontation.
Reference
DiMaio, D.J., and V.J. DiMaio, (1989) “Forensic Pathology”, New York: Elsevier
Escobedo, L.G., A.J. Ruttenber, M.A. Agocs, RF. Anda and C.V. Wetli. (1991)
"Emergency Patterns of Cocaine Use and The Epidemic of Cocaine Overdose Deaths
in Dade County, Florida." Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 115:
900-905.
Hirsch, C.S. and V.I. Adams (1993) "Sudden and Unexpected Death from Natural
Causes in Adults" In W.U. Spitz, ea, Medico legal Investigation Of Death.
Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, pp. 137-174.
Luke, J.L. and D.T. Reay. (1992) "The Perils of Investigating and Certifying
Deaths in Police Custody" The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and
Pathology 13(2): 98-100.
Mittleman, RE. & J.J. Davis (1991)"Death From Custody?" Forensic Pathology,
33(2): 1-4
Reay, D.T., C.L. Fligner, A D. Stilwell and J. Amold (1992), "Positional
Asphyxia During Law Enforcement Transport" The American Journal of Forensic
Medicine and Pathology, 13(2): 90-97
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