Fact Check: A peer-reviewed article published in 2017 in the medical journal BMJ Open found that rubber and plastic bullets can cause significant injury and are not appropriate for use in crowd-control settings.

Fact Check: "A peer-reviewed article published in 2017 in the medical journal BMJ Open found that rubber and plastic bullets can cause significant injury and are not appropriate for use in crowd-control settings."

What We Know

In December 2017, a systematic review published in BMJ Open examined the injuries, disabilities, and fatalities associated with the use of rubber and plastic bullets, commonly referred to as kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs). The review analyzed data from 26 studies published between 1990 and June 2017, which included injury data from 1,984 individuals. The findings indicated that these projectiles have caused significant morbidity and mortality, with 53 fatalities and 300 cases of permanent disability reported. Notably, injuries to the head and neck were particularly severe, accounting for a substantial proportion of deaths and permanent disabilities (source-5).

The article concluded that due to their inherent inaccuracy and the potential for severe injury, disability, and death, KIPs are not suitable for crowd-control purposes. The authors called for the establishment of international guidelines to prevent unnecessary injuries and fatalities associated with their use (source-2, source-7).

Analysis

The claim that a peer-reviewed article published in BMJ Open in 2017 found that rubber and plastic bullets can cause significant injury and are inappropriate for crowd control is substantiated by the systematic review's findings. The review's methodology involved a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, which adds credibility to its conclusions. The systematic approach, including data synthesis from multiple sources, enhances the reliability of the findings (source-4, source-6).

However, it is essential to consider the potential biases in the sources reviewed. The studies included in the systematic review primarily focused on incidents in specific contexts, such as protests in Israel/Palestine and the UK, which may not fully represent the global use of KIPs (source-5). Nonetheless, the review's findings align with other literature indicating that these projectiles can cause severe injuries, further supporting the conclusion that their use in crowd-control settings is problematic (source-3).

Conclusion

The claim is True. The systematic review published in BMJ Open in 2017 provides substantial evidence that rubber and plastic bullets can cause significant injuries and are not appropriate for crowd-control settings. The review's findings, based on a thorough analysis of multiple studies, highlight the severe health consequences associated with these projectiles, reinforcing the need for caution and regulation in their use.

Sources

1. Death, injury and disability from kinetic impact projectiles in crowd-control settings: a systematic review - BMJ Open
2. Death, injury and disability from kinetic impact projectiles in crowd ... - PubMed
3. Penetrating deep pelvic injury due to “less-lethal” beanbag ... - PMC
4. Rubber/plastic bullets used for crowd control can maim and kill - BMJ Blogs
5. Death, injury and disability from kinetic impact projectiles ... - ResearchGate
6. PDF Death, injury and disability from kinetic impact projectiles ... - BMJ Open
7. News: By firing rubber bullets at... - The Los Angeles Times