Resume Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Resume - Assignment Example My previous work experiences entail dealing directly with people through administering functions and through managing organizational campaigns. I am highly skilled in undertaking effective communication, in various medium. I am an exemplary team player and could work in diverse environments; even in demanding or highly challenging situations. My ability to discern appropriate conflict negotiating techniques, as well as apply problem-solving strategies, make me highly competent for the position. Likewise, my aviation knowledge and skills would be a potential advantage for an Air and Marine Interdiction Agent, in the near future. I am hereby attaching my resume for your perusal. I would be available for interview at your most convenient time. I could be reached in any of the stipulated contact details. I am confident that when considered for the position, we would be establishing a mutually beneficial business relationship. I would be looking forward to hearing from you

Less Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement

Less Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement For decades, the only weapons law enforcement had at its disposal were lethal weapons and physical force using a wooden night stick or baton. New less harmful or less lethal weapons were needed due to the ever increasing violence in our communities and the demand for better crime control, especially after the widespread scrutiny of law enforcement after highly publicized use of force incidents such as the arrest of Rodney King in Los Angeles. Less lethal weapons are defined as weapons that are intended to incapacitate a subject without causing permanent injuries or death while also inflicting minimal damage on surrounding environments (Davison, 2009). They are often also known as non-lethal weapons, but this is a misnomer as no weapon can be completely non-lethal even when used properly and cautiously; moreover, any use of force by law enforcement can inherently involve a risk of death. The use of less lethal weapons can have physical and mental effects on the individual being subjected to them. There are numerous factors concerning the environment and the subject when choosing the type of less lethal weapon to deploy. Less lethal weapons use in law enforcement is vital as they frequently contend with subjects who have not yet committed a criminal act (as in the case of crowd control) or with mentally unstable subjects or those under the influence of an intoxicant. Officers must balance their use with what is accepted as reasonable force to avoid violating a subjects civil rights while, at the same time, satisfying the public that the least amount of force necessary was used. Many subjects use the judicial process to challenge the use of less lethal weapons. Some of the different categories of less lethal weapons available to law enforcement include: specialty impact munitions, distraction devices, chemical munitions, and conducted energy devices. Specialty Impact Munitions Specialty impact munitions (SIM) were used as early as the 1960s in American Law Enforcement. During this period, police used wooden baton rounds to quell riots and the first bean bag round was designed (BAE SIM, 2009). The use of specialty impact munitions are intended to cause pain (the lowest expected response) and sometimes sufficient blunt trauma to disorient or incapacitate a subject (the maximum desired effect) (BAE SIM, 2009). Low energy specialty impact munitions are used for pain compliance, while high energy specialty impact munitions are used for incapacitation. Some degree of injury is expected to occur as it is necessary to achieve compliance or a momentary degree of incapacitation. The intent with specialty impact munitions is to minimize the amount of injury that is painful. In most instances, bruising is the only injury, but abrasions, contusions, lacerations, and fractures have occurred. Specialty impact munitions can also have an immense mental effect on an individual often causing anxiety, fear, and/or panic. By pointing a firearm directly at a subject and firing a projectile, the subject may have the fear of actually having been shot by a firearm. The pain associated with the impact may reinforce this belief. Specialty impact weapons can also cause mental distraction in a subject as they cope with the physiological pain that the body feels and also the perceived danger. If the subject panics, however, it could lead to less control as their fear may lead to the fight or flight response. Specialty impact weapons include rubber balls, bean bags, foam batons, rubber batons, and wood batons which are usually encapsulated in either 12-gauge shotgun shells, 37mm rounds, 40mm rounds, or grenades (BAE SIM, 2009). Specialty impact munitions can be used in a variety of situations. Police uses include perimeter control, temporarily incapacitating barricaded subjects, and subduing emotionally disturbed subjects. Correctional uses include performing cell extractions in correctional or prison settings, quelling riots or crowd management, and regaining control of areas. There are several factors to consider when using specialty impact munitions including distance from the subject, impact areas, munitions selection, and delivery system. Long range engagements may affect the accuracy of the specialty impact munitions. Additionally, the energy of the specialty impact munitions will decrease over distance and a sufficient amount of energy may not be available to incapacitate the subject rendering it ineffective. While, close range engagements with a subject increase the potential for incapacitation, they also increase the risk for serious injury such as penetration wounds and broken bones. Distraction Devices Websters Dictionary defines distraction as the state in which the attention is called in different ways; confusion; perplexity and that which diverts attention (Distraction, n.d.). Distraction devices are a low explosive device that emit heat, light, and sound with the intent of distracting a potentially dangerous subject (BAE DD, 2009). They are also commonly called diversion devices, flash sound diversion devices, and referred to as a flashbang. Flashbangs were designed in a United Kingdom military facility in Porton Down as an experimental stun device called a stun grenade. They were first deployed in a 1977 hostage rescue mission in Mogadishu, Somalia. Law enforcement then became interested in them. However, the first distraction devices were inappropriate for law enforcement use due to several factors including: unreliable fuses, the long delay in detonation (friction type fuses had a 6-12 second delay), excessive noise level, metal fragmentation, and the cardboard containers became soft when exposed to moisture (BAE DD, 2009). Finally, a cost effective distraction device with container that was safe to ship and easy to handle was developed. The Los Angeles Police Department was the first department to explore the use of the flashbang in preparation for the 1984 Olympic Games (BAE DD, 2009). Distraction devices have both a psychological and a physiological effect on the subjects they are used on. A psychological or mental distraction is one that effects how a subject thinks and reacts based upon human instinct, the chemical makeup of his nervous system, and learned behavior (BAE DD, 2009). The most common psychological distraction is confusion or making someone think that something has, is currently, or is going to occur even though it is not the case (BAE DD, 2009). Another psychological distraction is the response to fear or their flight or fight response. Fear can cause trembling, sweating, dry mouth, and loss of fine motor control (bladder and bowel). No other less lethal weapon has the potential to impact all of the bodys five senses like the distraction devices (Stanley, 2008). Physiological or physical distractions are distractions that the body just cannot control because when exposed to the appropriate stimulus, the sensory organs of the body react. Physiological distractions have three dimensions: visual effects, auditory effects, and equilibrium effects. Exposure to intense light bleaches the retina and causes restriction of the pupil which, in turn, causes a subject to see white spots (much like the flash from a camera). A test conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety concluded that it could take up to two minutes for the pupil to return to normal size and ten to thirty minutes for restoration of normal vision (BAE DD, 2009). The sound of distraction devices can be as loud as 174.5 decibels. To put this in perspective, a lawnmower equals approximately 90 decibels; a chainsaw, 100 decibels; standing in front of rock concert speakers is equal to 120 decibels; and a gunshot or jet engine at 50 feet away is equal to 140 decibels (BAE DD, 2009). Distraction devices affect equilibrium by disturbing the fluid in the ear canals which affects the subjects balance. The advantage of physiological distraction is that it will work every time. The combination of effects: sound, light, the smell and taste of smoke, along with the pressure wave of energy striking the skin is enough to cause a sensory overload for anyone in the immediate proximity of the blast (Stanley, 2008). The disadvantages to physiological distractions are they require direct exposure and can vary in duration as sensory overload varies greatly from person to person and from device to device. Some subjects will show little or no effect, others may be merely disoriented, while still others can be frozen in pace for several seconds. The three primary effects of a distraction device are: heat, light, and sound. The heat effect is the least damaging of the three. The heat produced from the explosion of the distraction device has a short duration (50 milliseconds), but can exceed 2000 degrees centigrade (BAE DD, 2009). The heat and flame (thermal incendiary) effect is usually seen as a bright flash or fireball at the instant of the explosion. The light generated is very intense and short of duration (less than 50 milliseconds) (BAE DD, 2009). The explosion from a distraction device creates a blast pressure wave which is the almost instantaneous creation of a volume of gas forcing the existing gases of the surrounding area out and away from the blast at high speed. It is essentially a powerful sound wave. Distraction devices are available in two types: those that only produce sound and light (flashbangs) and those that also eject either projectiles or chemicals (projectile/chemical grenades) (Stanley, 2008). A flashbang is a thermal incendiary with a combustion capacity and fire potential. Its heat can exceed 2000 degrees centigrade but is short in duration. The light from a flashbang also has a short duration but is intensely bright at six to eight million candelas. As a comparison, a typical law enforcement flashlight produces approximately 30,000 candelas, while the light from a 35mm camera flash equals 50,000 candelas (BAE DD, 2009). The sound (blast pressure) from a flashbang can cause injury. A primary blast almost always affects air-filled structures such as the lungs, ears, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Secondary blast pressure occurs when the action of the blast pressure wave reflects off surrounding surfaces. Soft or porous surfaces absorb the wave and decrease its reflec tion while hard or flexible surfaces enhance the reflection (BAE DD, 2009). Distraction devices come in canister type, grenade (with rubber balls or pellets), and a 12-gauge cartridge (aerial diversion). The most common method of deployment is by hand. The officer properly grips and controls the device, then pulls the pin and deploys the device. A flashbang pole is used to deploy the device through a window. The least frequent method of deployment is launching or throwing as the officer cannot see where the device will initiate. This method is generally used outdoors as a crowd management tool. The hazards of deploying distraction devices include the presence of children and the elderly, fire, and smoke. Children may become hysterical and can young infants can suffer hearing damage as their auditory system is still developing. Elderly people often have health problems that may be aggravated by the exposure to the distraction device or they may be bedridden and need help becoming ambulatory. A fire extinguisher should always be present when a distraction device is utilized in case a fire erupts. Distraction devices emit smoke that creates tactical and health concerns as smoke may obscure the officers vision and by-products of flash powder are not healthy to breathe. Another potential hazard is secondary blast projectiles which can be created from the blast pressure. Rocks or other small objects on the ground easily become ballistic when a distraction device is thrown next to them. A flashbang pole deployed through a closed window can cause ballistic glass fragments. Flashbang court cases are not abundant. They are challenged more in criminal court than in civil court. Civil cases include personal injury, property damage, death, negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or civil rights violations. The first court case concerning the use of distraction devices was Langford v. Gates, 43 Cal. 3d 21, 729 P.2d 822 (1987). Langford claimed use of the flashbang device violated her 4th, 5th, 9th, and 14th Amendment rights because its use against residences constituted unreasonable force. The court did not issue an injunction against their use, citing in their ruling that flashbangs were used in more than 25 cases since 1984 and they presented no more than minimal risk of injury (Langford v. Superior Ct., 1987). Therefore, their use could not be accounted unreasonable. In Garcia v. Texas, 829 S.W.2d 830 (1992), the defendant challenged his confession and his waiver of rights (BAE DD, 2009). He stated it was involuntary and violated his 5th Amendment because it was made after he was subjected to a forcible entry and a stun grenade. The Texas Court of Appeals upheld his conviction. In civil action, a Wisconsin prisoner received $49,000. in 2009 for the permanent harm he suffered after a flashbang grenade was thrown into his cell in an effort to subdue him (Foley, 2009). He experienced ringing in his ears for months afterward and now suffers from tinnitus. Chemical Munitions Chemical munitions, developed during World War I, that produce temporary effects of excessive tearing, closing of the eyes, and shortness of breath are commonly known as tear gas. Chemical munitions can be a good tool for law enforcement because when used correctly, they are effective, but their effects will dissipate quickly when a subject moves away from the contaminated area. There are five purposes in the deployment of chemical munitions, including to: disperse, dislodge, distract, disorient, and detect (BAE CM, 2009). Chemical munitions are a primary means of dispersing violent crowds and dislodging barricaded subjects, but can also be used to help detect a barricaded subjects location by forcing the subject to cough or make some other noise. When the chemical munitions fails to dislodge the barricaded subject, its continued application can tire the subject and potentially diminish his desire to fight or resist. Chemical munitions can also be used to visually impair subjects or limit their access where evidence (especially drugs) may be destroyed. Additionally, they can be utilized to mask the movement of specialized police tactical teams such as S.W.A.T. Protective masks that filter particulates and absorb gas vapors should be worn by law enforcement when some types of chemical munitions are utilized. The most common types of chemical munitions used by law enforcement are: Cloroacetophenone (CN), Orthoclorobenzalmalononitrile (CS), and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) (BAE CM, 2009). Cloreacetophenone (CN) CN was invented by German chemist Carl Graebe in 1869 and was used for training soldiers in the use of their protective equipment (BAE CM, 2009). Studies of CN revealed that although it had mild effects, it could still incapacitate a subject for a short period of time (BAE CM, 2009). This made it a good weapon for use against rioting citizens and barricaded subjects. CN is lighter than CS, but five times more toxic; however, it has milder physiological effects relative to CS and OC (BAE CM, 2009). The physiological effects of CN include extreme tear production, voluntary closure of eyes, and mild stinging/burning of the eyes, mouth, throat, and nasal passages (BAE CM, 2009). Its psychological effects include some mental disorientation and confusion, as well as fear or panic due to the physiological effects. The reaction time for CN is usually one to three seconds, but often varies depending on the ambient temperature and the mental state and physical condition of the subject. After exposure, the effects should dissipate 5-15 minutes after the subject is removed from the contaminated area. Subjects under extreme influences of drugs and alcohol and mentally disturbed subjects are less likely to be troubled by the effects of CN. And animals that are exposed to CN suffer little, if at all (BAE CM, 2009). CN is used by law enforcement is aerosol sprays and chemical dispensing grenades. Orthoclorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) Law enforcement in the United States began using CS in 1965 as an aid to disperse crowds and subdue barricaded subjects (BAE CM, 2009). It is currently the most used riot control agent by law enforcement. CS is an irritant that causes a burning sensation to the moist areas of the skin, especially the eyes, mouth, throat, and nasal passages. The sensation is consistent with an instant sunburn (Stanley, 2008). Other physiological effects are excessive tear production and mucous discharge from the nose involuntary closure of the eyes, shortness of breath, feelings of suffocation, and sneezing and coughing. Psychologically, CS may cause disorientation and confusion. The subject may also experience anxiety, fear, and panic. The reaction time for CS is usually 3-7 seconds but can vary depending on the chemical composition of the CS and the mental and physical condition of the subject. The after-effects usually dissipate 5-15 minutes after the subject is removed from the contaminated area. CS is often blended with OC to increase its effectiveness. CN and CS are available in solid (pellets or powder) and liquid form. For pyrotechnic use, or when the chemical agent is vaporized and carried by smoke particulates through the atmosphere, a granulated raw agent of CN/CS is combined with a fuel mix and then pressed into various sized pellets (BAE CM, 2009). Powder is made with micro-pulverized forms of CN or CS mixed with Magnesium oxide and cabbosil (BAE CM. 2009). Munitions in the powder form are not pyrotechnic, making them ideal for indoor use. To convert CN or CS to a liquid form, it is pulverized into a very fine powder and then suspended within a liquid carrier (BAE CM, 2009). The most effective form of CN or CS is when it is mixed with a fuel mix and burned (pyrotechnic). The least effective form of carrier is a liquid as it tends to settle faster (BAE CM, 2009). CN or CN can be delivered by hand deployment up to 50 yards and with a launcher for deployment more than 50 yards from the police line (BAE CM, 2009). Chemical munitions can be delivered by expulsion or blast devices that eject chemical agents into the atmosphere using a detonator, blasting cap, primer and powder, or CO ² cartridges. Pyrotechnic is a delivery method where agents are released into the atmosphere by means of compressed slugs or pellets and a fuel mix that is then carried by smoke. Other delivery methods include fogging systems, aerosols, and liquids. Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Oleoresin capsicum is oil and a resin extracted from the cayenne pepper plant (Chan et al, 2001). The first commercial OC product for law enforcement was developed in 1974 in a Florida home (BAE OC, 2009). OC use was then adopted by FBI special agents in 1990. Later that year, a violent subject who had been sprayed with an oil-based OC spray containing isopropyl alcohol was unintentionally set on fire after a conducted energy weapon was also deployed. This led the development of a safer, water-based OC product. The California Department of Justice conducted a two-year study documenting the se and effectiveness of two distinctively different OC products (BAE OC, 2009). The study helped establish industry standards for selection criteria that are still in use today. OC is an inflammatory where the desired result is to affect the respiratory system. Approximately 85% of the subjects contaminated with OC will move seeking fresh air (BAE CM, 2009). OC comes in both powder and liquid forms and is designed to stay airborne as long as possible. OC powder and liquid munitions are not as persistent as CN and CS and, therefore, may not be as effective, but it is easier to decontaminate a subject and clean and area that has been exposed to OC munitions (BAE CM, 2009). OC is also considered to be safer and less toxic than CN and CS (Chan et al, 2001). The physiological effects of OC are a burning sensation of the upper respiratory system and exposed skin, inflammation of eyes and mucous membranes, and involuntary intermittent blinking or complete shutting of the eyes. The inflammation of the respiratory system causes a sensation of shortness of breath of feeling of suffocation which usually results in coughing. The psychological effects include anxiety, fear of the expected pain, and panic which may cause auditory exclusion where the subject doesnt respond to verbal commands (BAE OC, 2009). There is no standard reaction time for OC products because the reaction time relies on the subjects mental state, the humidity, and the temperature. OC can be delivered in a pepper fog, pepper spray, or pepper foam application. The pepper fog application has a range of 3-4 meters and is effective on single or multiple subjects. Less accuracy is needed due to its wider spray area. The disadvantage of the wider spray area is the potential for users and by-standers being affected by the spray. Its range and effectiveness can also be reduced by high winds. Pepper spray or direct stream has a range of 5-7 meters and its delivery is similar to the stream of a water pistol. There is less of a possibility of user and by-standers being affected by the spray when delivered in this form. It also has a longer range and is less affected by wind. The direct stream delivery has a narrower spray area and requires more accuracy. It is not as effective as a fog pattern on multiple subjects. The foam spray pattern has a range of 3-6 feet and is used in climate-controlled environments such as courtrooms, hospitals, schools, and jails. It has better surface cohesion, reduced cross contamination, and causes virtually no respiratory difficulties. However, it does have a very limited range. After exposure to OC, decontamination should encompass physiological as well as psychological effects. To provide physical relief, eyes should be flushed with water, exposed skin surfaces should be decontaminated, and the subject should be exposed to fresh air. For psychological effects, verbal rapport should be established with the subject and efforts should be made to calm and relax the subject (BAE OC, 2009). It can take from 15 minutes to one hour for the subject to recover from the effects of OC. Liquids are released when the launched projectile breaks apart upon hitting a hard surface, thus releasing the chemical munitions. There are many factors that should be considered before chemical munitions are deployed. Tactical considerations for outdoor deployment include: wind conditions, weather conditions, crowd make up, escape routes, terrain surfaces, fire hazards, sensitive structures nearby (hospitals, schools), and counter-measures present (gas masks). When the chemical munitions are deployed indoors, there are different factors to consider such as entry/exit points, whether the power/water is on or off, the presence of hazardous materials, the subjects location, the location of weapons, the medical condition of subjects, and the subjects access to counter-measures (gas masks, etc). Critics continue to claim that OC spray is not safe. A National Institute of Justice funded study of the safety and effectiveness of OC spray in three North Carolina jurisdictions concluded that the use of pepper spray contributed to only two of the 63 in-custody deaths with both of those involving people with asthma (NIJ, 2003). The other 61 deaths were caused by disease, drug use, positional asphyxiation, or a combination of these effects (NIJ, 2003). Another study by medical researchers at the University of California-San Diego found no evidence that the exposure to pepper spray alone did not pose a significant risk for positional asphyxiation (NIJ, 2003). They also recognized that the use of OC spray reduced the number of injuries to officers and suspects, as well as excessive use of force complaints against law enforcement (NIJ, 2003). Conducted Energy Devices (CED) Conducted energy devices (CED), or electronic control devices (ECD), affect the neuromuscular functions of the body. Their pulse mimics the electrical signals used within the body to communicate between the brain and the muscles. This stimulates the pulsed communication used within the nerves and interferes with communication to the muscles which causes the Central Nervous System to be overwhelmed resulting in uncontrollable muscle contractions and temporary immobility (Steverson, 2007). CEDs are available to law enforcement in many different forms including handheld devices, belts, and shields. Handheld devices Most handheld CEDs are more commonly known as Tasers, even though Tasers are a brand of CED manufactured by Taser International. The Taser was invented in the 1960s by Jack Cover, a lead scientist at American Aerospace working on the Apollo Moon Landing Project (Taser, 2009). The name, Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle (TASER) was derived from one of his favorite boyhood books (Taser, 2009). The handheld CED uses compressed nitrogen to discharge two electric darts or probes that remain connected to the cartridge on the gun by a thin high-voltage insulated wire. The probes deliver electricity in 5-second bursts. CEDs deliver a high voltage, low amperage shock. In order for the shock to be delivered, both probes must connect with the subject to complete the circuit. Although the probe deployments are more effective, the handheld CED also has a drive stun back up feature where it can be used without the cartridge as a stun gun. However, the drive stun does not usually result in incapacitation since it doesnt have a significant impact on the central nervous system (Taser, 2009). It is used as a more as a pain compliance technique. The handheld CEDs work well in enclosed environments and close quarters such as houses, jails, emergency rooms, and crowd control. Their cartridges have a range of 0-21 feet, 0-25 feet, and 0-35 feet (Taser, 2009). They have a good deterrent effect and unlike chemical munitions, decontamination is not a factor. The effectiveness of handheld CEDs can be limited by loose or thick clothing, low nerve or muscle mass on a subject, or wire breakage. Considerations must be made for increased deployment risk when activating handheld CEDs on subjects: in an elevated position (risk of falling), operating machinery, in flammable environments, in water (risk of drowning), obviously pregnant, and frail or infirmed. There are also problems with becoming too reliant on CEDs. Some agencies found that officers relied so heavily on handheld CED use to gain compliance from a subject that they bypassed non-violent conflict resolution techniques, such as negotiations; consequently, agency policies were revised on its use. One Northwest Florida agency does not allow the use of CEDs on subjects who merely refuse to comply (without physical resistance) with a verbal command. One feature developed on Taser CEDs is the anti-felon identification system that uses small confetti-like tags laden with the cartridge serial number in every cartridge. Once the Taser is deployed, the area is sprayed with the confetti-like tags leaving the cartridge serial number behind. Since there are too many to retrieve them all, this leaves a record of who the spent cartridge was registered to. To help prevent overuse and intentional abuse of the Taser, there is also a dataport that can be utilized to record the date and time of every trigger pull of the weapon. Opponents of CEDs have repeatedly claimed that they are responsible for many in-custody deaths. However, a study by the Department of Justice concluded that there is no conclusive medical evidenceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦that indicates a high risk of serious injury or death from the direct effects of CED exposure (DOJ, 2008). Furthermore, their reported link to deaths in subjects suffering from excited delirium, a syndrome characterized by agitation and psychosis, also has no foundation as those individuals are already unstable medically and at a high risk of mortality, even with medical intervention and the absence of CED deployment (DOJ, 2008). Belts Electronic stun belts became popular in 1994 when the Bureau of Prisons decided to use them in their medium and high-security lock-ups (Cusac, 1996). One brand of stun belt is the Remote Electronically Activated Control Technology (R.E.A.C.T.) belt manufactured by Stun-Tech, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio (Staples, 1997). Electronic stun belts that are strapped around a subjects waist are primarily used for prisoner escorts and transports. The stun belt is a 4-inch wide elastic band with two metal prongs powered by a battery that are positioned over the left kidney and activated by a remote control (Staples, 1997). Once activated, it sends a 50, 000 volt shock in 8-second bursts to the back muscles of the subject wearing the belt. Their use can be advantageous to law enforcement personnel as they can be activated remotely. The officer can be as far 300 feet away from the subject when manning the control (Cusac, 1996). Use of the stun belt in courtrooms settings has been shrouded in controversy. In Hawkins v. Comparet-Cassani, the stun belt was place on defendant Ronnie Hawkins after he was being difficult and acting up in the lock-up area of the courthouse (Hawkins v. Comparet-Cassani, 2001). Once in the courtroom, the defendant continued to act in a disruptive manner and made several statements out of order so the judge ordered the officers to activate the stun belt. The court concluded that mere placement of the belt on a detainee raises serious questions going to the merits of the 4th Amendment and 8th Amendment claims and also addressed that it had the potential to compromise an individuals ability to participate in his or her own defense (Hawkins v. Comparet-Cassini, 2001). In People v. Mar, 28 CAL.4th 1201 (2002) the California Supreme Court ordered a new trial after the defendant, James Allen Mar, was unwillingly required to wear a stun belt during his trial (Ofgang, 2002). The court ruled that because of the nature of the device and its effect once activated, requiring an unwilling defendant to wear a stun belt during trial may have significant psychological consequences that may impair his ability to assist with his counsel and therefore violated his 6th Amendment right to counsel (Ofgang, 2002). Shields An electronic stun shield generates an electric shock that is only delivered when a subject touches the shield after it has been activates. Convex type electronic shields are used for crowd management or riot control and concave type electronic shields are used for capturing a subject (Stanley, 2008). The convex shield is used to push subjects away, while the concave is used for pinning subjects preventing their movement (Staples, 2008). Conclusion In an effort to minimize the risk of death and serious injuries to officers and citizens and limit damage to the adjacent areas, law enforcement agencies have employed the use of less lethal weapons. Less lethal weapons are available in a variety of devices that cause distraction, pain compliance, and temporary immobility. Some are better suited for open areas or outdoor environment, while others work well in smaller, enclosed areas. The use of less lethal weapons can cause physiological and psychological effects of varying severity. These effects lead to their success at being effective. Although the use of less lethal weapons reduces injuries to subjects, it also increases scrutiny of law enforcement use of force and often the liability of court action. Less lethal weapons come in a variety of devices that

Sexually Transmitted Diseases :: essays research papers

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs, a.k.a venereal diseases, infectious diseases passed from one person to another during sexual contact. STDs are the most common infections known. More than 12 million people in the United States, including 3 million teenagers, are infected with STDs every year. The United States has the highest STD rate in the world about one in ten Americans will contract an STD during his or her lifetime. People who do not know they are infected risk infecting their sexual partners and, in some cases, their unborn children. If left untreated, these diseases may cause pain or may destroy a woman's ability to have children. Some STDs can be cured with a single dose of antibiotics, but AIDS cannot be cured. Those most at risk for contracting STDs are people who have unprotected sex—without using a condom, people who have multiple partners, and people whose sex partners are drug users who share needles. Static’s show that A mericans between the ages of 16 and 24 are most likely of catching STDs than older adults, because younger people usually have multiple sexual partners than an older person in a long-term relationship. Teenagers may be embarrassed to tell their sexual partners they are infected Teenagers may also be embarrassed or unable to seek medical attention for STDs. This means that they only more likely to pass the disease to other young people and have a greater risk of suffering the long-term consequences of untreated STDs. STDs are transmitted by infectious bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and single-celled organisms called protozoa that live in warm, moist parts of the body, like the genital area, mouth, and throat. Most STDs are spread while having sex, but oral sex can also spread disease. Some STDs are passed from a mother to her child while pregnant, when the disease enters the baby's bloodstream, during childbirth as the baby passes through the birth canal, or after birth, when t he baby drinks infected breast milk. AIDS can be transmitted by blood contact such as open wounds, between people who share infected needles or received through an injection of infected blood. Some people believe that STDs can be transmitted through shaking hands or other casual contact, or through contact with inanimate objects such as clothing or toilet seats, but they can’t. Chlamydeous, is from trachoma is bacterium, is the most commonly transmitted STD in the United States.

I felt a Funeral in my Brain Essay

Dickinson uses the metaphor of a funeral in her poem â€Å"I felt a Funeral in my Brain† to describe abstract emotions related to stressful situations that could destroy or take away everything that an individual values in life. The poem is quite permissive in the sense that it allows multiple readings where the reader may ascribe the emotions described in the poem to various situations that are difficult to cope with in life. Of course, to add dimension to the poem, Dickinson uses numerous poetic devices to enhance the experience of reading this particular piece. The piece features alliterations such as in the line, â€Å"I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,†. (1) Here there is a repetition of the consonant ‘f’ sound in the words ‘felt’ and ‘funeral’. Again, the same poetic device is seen in the line, â€Å"And I, and Silence, some strange Race†. (15) where the consonant ‘s’ sound is repeated in the words, ‘some’ and ‘strange’. Another one of these lines featuring an alliteration is the line, â€Å"And I dropped down, and down –â€Å". 18) While alliteration has no contextual function in these lines, the device serves to give the poem some sort of regular rhythm so that reading the poem is not just an intellectual experience, but also an experience that is enhanced by sound. The poem is given an interesting beat to it because of these alliterations. Another device intended to give the poem a more rhythmic quality is the assonance which is found in t he line, â€Å"Kept treading – treading – till it seemed†(3) where the vowel sound ‘ea’ is repeated in the word ‘treading’ and the vowel sound ‘I’ is repeated in the words ‘treading’,. ‘Til’, and ‘it’. In the same manner, the line, â€Å"And I, and Silence, some strange Race† (15) also demonstrates the use of assonance in the repetition of the vowel sound ‘I’ in the words ‘I’ and ‘silence’ and the repetition of the sound ‘ae’ in the words ‘strange’ and ‘race’. There are also metaphors in this very brief yet multi-dimensional poem. For instance, to demonstrate the frailty of reason, Dickinson writes, â€Å"And then a Plank in Reason, broke†. (17) Here one sees how reason is likened to a plank which breaks; a very clever way of illustrating the common human reactionary idiom which is ‘breaking under pressure’. Another metaphor in the poem is â€Å"With those same Boots of Lead, again† (11) which describes the heavy steps that a bothered or disturbed person makes. In effect, this particular line is an effective metaphor that illustrates the footfalls of a troubled or stressed person; perhaps, an experience that is familiar to most people as not having the energy to walk when stressed or trouble, hence heavy feet. Aside from metaphors, the very brief poem also manages to throw in a few similes, such as the line, â€Å"A Service, like a Drum –â€Å"(6), which likens the voices of the people in the funeral service to the incessant beating of a drum. So, the sound referred to in this line is an annoying or repetitive sound that seems to nag at the voice’s mind. Then, there is the line, â€Å"As all the Heavens were a Bell / And Being, but an Ear† (13-14) where the voice tries to illustrate how noisy or boisterous prayers are in the context of a person who is currently troubled or is dealing with problems that would seem insurmountable. These lines express the desperation of the state of the voice in that it describes how prayers are often empty and without significance or can do nothing to alleviate one’s sorry state. It is amazing how Dickinson is able to pack so many poetic devices into one very short poem. This demonstrates the brilliance of this poet in the art of poetry because it simply shows how expertly crafted and well-thought of the poem truly is. There is also a hyperbole in the poem in the lines, â€Å"And I dropped down, and down – / And hit a World, at every plunge† (18-19) describing the gravity or the seriousness of the state of the voice; hereto expressed as the feeling of falling down and hitting a world at every plunge. In effect, what the poet is saying here is that each disappointment or stressful situation puts the voice in a situation where he/she has to face the consequences presented or put before him/her by a confusing, unyielding, and indifferent society, here referred to as a â€Å"world†. Not to be left out in the poem is the personification which is found in the line, â€Å"And I, and Silence, some strange Race† (15) While personification is not immediately evident or apparent in this line, closer analysis of it would reveal, that in fact, personification is used to represent an abstract concept. When the voice puts silence in equal footage with himself/herself by treating silence as some sort of companion, personification is achieved. So, in this line, the voice of the poem claims that he/she and silence are both from a strange race; what this does is it gives the reader the illusion that apart from the ‘I’ who is a tangible concrete element of the poem, ‘silence’ which is an abstract concept also becomes a concrete element as it is personified by treating it as a companion of the ‘I’. This poem by Emily Dickinson simply demonstrates how craftsmanship is often very important in the creation of a poem. The intentions of a poet are mostly to convey emotion and to embody such emotion in words and the effective use of poetic devices achieves this particular poetic intention or objective. When a poem is able to effectively use poetic devices such reflects on the expertise and genius of the poet because while only some poetic devices can be found in some other singular poems, this poem packs in a large number, if not all poetic devices in the span of twenty lines spread throughout five stanzas. Such a feat is amazing in itself.

A Proposal of Metrics for Botnet Detection based on its Cooperative Behavior

The primary contribution of the paper is the proposal of three metrics that can help identify the presence of botnets in a wide area network (WAN). The proposed metrics, namely relationship, response and synchronization are measured with respect to the traffic over a WAN. It is assumed that the behavior of botnets will recurrently exhibit these metrics. The authors define relationship as the connection that exists between the bots and bot master of a botnet over one protocol. This metric tries to detect the structure of a botnet’s relationship by analyzing the network traffic.It is observed that the response time to commands received by a legitimate host varies significantly while that of botnets is comparatively constant. The response time as a metric can thus help detect botnets. As the bots present in a botnet are programmed to carry out instructions from the bot master on a predetermined basis, it is assumed that their activities will synchronize. An analysis of the networ k traffic can possible help identify synchronized activity between hosts, thus detecting botnets.The metrics are evaluated by analyzing traffic measured in the Asian Internet Interconnection Initiatives (AIII) infrastructure over a period of 24 hours. The analysis validates the metrics proposed as a dense topology relationship, short range of response times and synchronization of activities are detected in the presence of a botnet. The authors propose that a combination of all the metrics be used for detecting a botnet. The design of an algorithm to detect botnets based on a combination of the three metrics has been identified as future work. Summary of â€Å"IRC Traffic Analysis for Botnet Detection†The paper addresses the problem of detecting botnets by modeling the behavior of botnets. The main idea of the paper is to analyze network traffic, model the behavior of botnets based on the analysis and use pattern recognition techniques to identify a particular behavior model a s belonging to a botnet. The proposed model for detecting botnets analyses traffic that uses the IRC protocol. A traffic sniffer is used to analyze packets in the promiscuous mode. The protocol detector detects traffic using the protocol of interest to the analysis, in this case IRC.The packets are decoded using the IRC decoder and the behavior models are built. The detection engine detects a botnet based on the behavior model. The features used to build a behavior model include features related to a linguistic analysis of the data that passes through an IRC channel in addition to the rate of activity in the channel. It is observed that the language used by bots has a limited vocabulary and uses many punctuation marks. The language used by humans is observed to have a wider mean and variance with respect to the words used in a sentence. The features used to model the behavior of botnets hare listed.The experiments have been conducted with clean data collected from chat rooms and bot net data collected at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Pattern recognition is performed using support vector machines (SVMs) and J48 decision trees and the results are reported in terms of confusion matrices. Though the botnets are detected using the above methods, the authors report that a further analysis of the data is necessary. Unsupervised testing of the model and expansion of the model for adaptation to other scenarios is proposed as future work. Summary of â€Å"The Automatic Discovery, Identification and Measurement of Botnets†The paper proposes a technique for identifying and measuring the botnets used to deliver malicious email such as spam. The implementation and performance of the proposed technique has been presented. The authors are of the opinion that the existing methods for detecting botnets used to send spam use significant amount of resources and are often applicable only after a botnet has been operational over a period of time. The authors propose a passive method for identifying botnets by classifying the email content. The headers present in the emails are used to group the mails.The authors assume that a botnet has a central center for control and that the same program is used by a botnet for creating and sending spam emails. Based on these the authors propose to classify emails by a passive analysis of the header content present in them. The Plato algorithm is proposed to identify the sender and the program used to send the email. The performance of the Plato algorithm is analyzed based on the following factors: clustering, durability, isolation and conflicts. The analysis is performed on a sample data containing 2. 3 million emails. In the dataset 96% emails are identified as having a probability of being spam.The algorithm is observed to successfully reflect the features associated with spam email. It helps group the emails based on the characteristics of the sender and the sending program. This grouping of emails can hel p identify a botnet and thus enable the membership and size of the botnet. The authors propose that the algorithm can be further used for classifying bulk emails, to understand the relationship between spam and viruses and as a replacement for spam filters using statistical methods. Summary of â€Å"Towards Practical Framework for Collecting and Analyzing Network-Centric Attacks†The paper proposes a network-centric framework based on an awareness of risk to help detect attacks from a botnet and prevent these attacks. The authors state that the bots follow certain network traffic patterns and these patterns can be used to identify a bot. The proposed framework consists of three main components, namely bot detection, bot characteristics and bot risks. The first component, bot detection, is used to detect known and unknown bots that try to penetrate the system. A honeypot based malware collection system component is used to attract bots to the honeypot and thus help detect bots. After the bots have been detected the characteristics of the bots are analyzed. The behavior of bots and their characteristics are identified by analyzing known malware, network traffic patterns and detecting the existence of any correlation between various instances of a malware. Various components are used to perform each of the tasks involved in bot characterization. To determine the risks posed by bots, the vulnerabilities present in the existing system are identified. The risk posed by a host with certain characteristics is calculated based on the vulnerabilities associated with the system. Thus the risk factor can be modified on demand.A combination of the identified characteristics and the associated risks is evaluated when a decision regarding the blocking of traffic is made. The authors present results that demonstrate the ability of the proposed framework to detect different types of bots. The feasibility of the proposed framework has been demonstrated. Enhancing of the co rrelation system and integration of the risk aware system with the architecture are proposed as future work. Summary of â€Å"Wide-Scale Botnet Detection and Characterization† The paper proposes a methodology based on passive analysis of the traffic flow data to detect and characterize botnets.A scalable algorithm that gives information about controllers of botnets is proposed based on analysis of data from the transport layer. Four steps have been identified in the process of detecting botnet controllers. Suspicious behavior of hosts is identified and the conversations pertaining to this host are isolated for further evaluation. These are identified as suspected bots. Based on the records of suspected bots, the records that possible represent connections with a controller are isolated. This is referred to as candidate controller conversations in the paper.These candidate controller conversations are further analyzed to identify suspected controllers of botnets. The analysis is based on calculating the following: the number of unique suspected bots, distance between model traffic and the remote server ports, heuristics that gives a score for candidates that are possible bot controllers. The suspected controllers are validated in three possible ways: correlation with other available data sources, coordination with a customer for validation and validation of domain names associated with services (Karasaridis, Rexroad, & Hoeflin, 2007).The botnets are classified based on their characteristics using a similarity function. An algorithm is proposed for the same. The authors report the discovery of a large number of botnet controllers on using the proposed system. A false positive of less than 2% is reported based on correlation of the detected controllers with other sources. Also the proposed algorithm is reported to successfully identify and malicious bots. The future work is identified as the need to expand the algorithm for other protocols and analysis of the evolution of botnets.References Akiyama, M. , Kawamoto, T. , Shimamura, M. , Yokoyama, T. , Kadobayashi Y. , & Yamaguchi, S. (2007). A proposal of metrics for botnet detection based on its cooperative behavior. Proceedings of the 2007 International Symposium on Applications and the Internet Workshops. 82-85. Castle, I. , & Buckley, E. (2008). The automatic discovery, identification and measurement of botnets. Proceedings of Second International Conference on Emerging Security Information, Systems and Technologies. 127-132. Karasaridis, A. , Rexroad, B., & Hoeflin, D. (2007). Wide-scale botnet detection and characterization. Proceedings of the First Conference on First Workshop on Hot Topics in Understanding Botnets. 7-14. Mazzariello, C. (2008). IRC traffic analysis for botnet detection. Proceedings of Fourth International Conference on Information Assurance and Security. 318-323. Paxton, N. , Ahn, G-J. , Chu, B. (2007). Towards practical framework for collecting and analyzing n etwork-centric attacks. Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Information Reuse and Integration. 73-78.

Assignment 6 Example

Assignment 6 Example Assignment 6 – Essay Example Identification Number Number Assignment number Assignment There are several theories pertaining the origin of life. Some of them include; extraterrestrial, heterotrophy, autotroph and they will form the basis of this paperExtraterrestrialThis is a hypothesis that tries to explain the origin of life on earth. Thus Panspermia is a hypothesis that claims life arose outside of the earth, meaning living things were transported to earth. There is a lot of evidence pertaining to this such as the evidence exhibited from the meteorite. The meteorites originating from Mars were discovered to contain complex organic molecules. There is also evidence from the exploration expedition in Mars which discovered that there was existence of water bodies earlier on in Mars. These bodies of water were thought to have previously supported life (Enger, Ross, Bailey, 2010).HeterotrophyThe other theories involve the development of metabolic pathways. This hypothesizes that the very first cells would have to have a way of adding new organic molecules, a process which requires energy. To obtain this energy, two ways are involved; heterotrophs capture organic molecules from their environment whereas autotrophs utilize external energy sources to make organic molecules. The heterotrophy hypothesis proposed that the first cells lived off organic molecules present in the ocean. These organisms would have been anaerobic since the atmosphere was reducing. As the organisms continued reproducing and organic molecules became depleted, mutation could have reproduced an organism that was capable of metabolizing other material into organic material a process that would be adaptive and would promote survival (Enger, Ross, Bailey, 2010).AutotrophAutotroph hypothesis on the other hand proposes that the first organisms were autotrophs and several Achaea (primitive organisms) that lives in extremely harsh environments are usually autotrophs. They usually utilise the energy that is released from inorganic chemical reactions to make organic molecules. Most probably, early competition amongst autotrophs would have led to the evolution of heterotrophic organisms and autotrophic organisms that could utilise other kinds of molecules and energy sources (Enger, Ross, Bailey, 2010). ReferencesEnger E, Ross F,Bailey D, (2010). Concepts in Biology. New York: McGrawHill.

Structure of the Healthcare Industry Essay Example

Structure of the Healthcare Industry Essay Example Structure of the Healthcare Industry Paper Structure of the Healthcare Industry Paper Health care is one of the fastest growing section of the economy, and differs from other services in various ways (Danzon, 1992). The output of a bakery is bread but the output of the health care industry is less detailed or defined. The health care industry is changeable and unpredictable, making it less understood by both producers/suppliers and consumers (Danzon, 1992). However, the health care industry still operates within the basic rules of economics, and economical analysis is required in assessing public policy (Danzon, 1992).   The end product of medical care is, of course, health. Probabilities on health can only be applied and quantified before care is actually provided (Danzon, 1992). The risk and threat of illness usually leads people to require health insurance. In the U.S., the market for health insurance is influenced by the fact that employer contributions are an integral part of employee compensation which is tax-exempt (Danzon, 1992). Thus, third party payment affects the basic structure of the health care industry (Danzon, 1992). Because insurance companies pay for a large percentage of medical care, a consumer’s â€Å"point-of-purchase† price has to be less. If a physician charges $20 and the insurance company pays for 80% for the charge, then the consumer’s price is on $4 . Like any other market, the quantity demanded goes up when price goes down. It is hard to measure quality of service based on the effect of insurance (Danzon). The presence of a particular government is heavily felt in the health care industry. In the U.S., the largest health insurer is Medicare or Medicaid (Danzon, 1992). Increase in Health Care Costs Health care costs have rapidly increased in recent years, mainly because of fast trends in medical technology (Danzon, 1992). Nevertheless, an effective resource allocation ensures that the medical benefits exceed marginal costs (Danzon, 1992). Hospitals play a major role in the health care industry (Danzon, 1992). Medicare implemented a â€Å"prospective payment system† in 1983, under which hospitals are paid a fixed charge per admission, basing on the diagnosis of a patient. This way, the hospital shoulders the partial cost of all expenses incurred by the patient. Physicians also play a major role in the health care industry (Danzon, 1992). The actual number of doctors who are active in providing care for patients have more than doubled (Danzon, 1992). This increase may be attributed to medical schools’ responses to federal subsidies created to multiply the supply of doctors after the entrance of Medicare and Medicaid (Danzon, 1992). In most markets, increases in supply would result in lower prices, and thus, a higher quantity. However, many doctors have relocated to rural areas that were otherwise unserved. There is a persistent connection between number of doctors per capita, and the prevalence of home-visits and surgical procedures. Another influence in the Health care industry is pharmaceutical trends. U.S. prescription of drugs grew by 16.9% in 2001 compare to 2000, making the pharma industry a $172 billion industry (Boyle, 2002).