Force Science Institute

Destroying Myths & Discovering Cold Facts

The Force Science Institute (FSI) is comprised of a team of physicians, lawyers, psychologists, scientists, police trainers and law enforcement subject matter experts dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and training in criminal justice matters.

FSI conducts sophisticated scientific research studies into human behavior documenting the physical and mental dynamics associated with the societal demands of the peace-keeping function, including high-pressure situations and use-of-force incidents. Its findings apply to citizen-involved uses of force, as well as impacting investigations of officer-involved force applications. FSI research when applied to training enhances officer performance and public safety.

Full list of Force Science Institute results

The 21-foot “rule” is back in the news!
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Two recent cases underscore that the 21-foot principle is just a starting point for the evaluation of police use-of-force decisions when facing edged weapons
New study: More evidence against the myth of ‘restraint asphyxia’
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There is a long “hangover legacy” of court decisions that are not in harmony with the latest human-factors research
How 'dispatch priming' can drive some disastrous shooting decisions
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Officers expecting a gun to be present are much more likely to shoot a suspect who is holding nothing more threatening than a cell phone
Unarmed but still dangerous: The facts behind some OIS headlines
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We need more balanced and comprehensive reporting of police use of force against “unarmed” individuals
How to avoid legal missteps on suicidal-subject calls
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If officers don’t understand the legal realities of these dicey situations, they run the risk of making matters worse
'Interviews with evil' and the officer survival lessons they teach
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Officers and their attackers closely agree on one thing: Many cops are simply not ready to defend their lives
New study on shooting accuracy: How does your agency stack up?
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Annual hit-rate averages in large departments typically range from 22 percent to 52 percent
10 commandments for cops after use of deadly force
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Getting through the aftermath of an officer-involved shooting requires an extended test of survival skills
10 things that can damage – if not destroy – your agency’s image on social media
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Socially networking with your community offers priceless positive-impact opportunities as long as your agency creates its online presence the right way
IACP 2018 preview: 6 key factors for timing OIS interviews
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When to interview an officer after an OIS or critical incident has been influenced by many legal, social and psychological factors
New study: Perils and protections in dealing with excited delirium
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An officer who confronts a subject in the throes of excited delirium stands nearly a 90 percent chance of ending up on the ground in a struggle
Force Science assesses proposed 'necessary' deadly force standard
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California Assembly Bill 931 seeks to establish a “necessity” standard for the legal use of deadly force by peace officers
Are you ready for the crisis that may be heading your way?
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Implementing a crisis communications plan will prepare police leaders to navigate the treacherous tsunami of social media during the first 24-48 hours of a crisis
Understanding key factors for police de-escalation of potential suicides
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The purpose of suicide intervention is not to solve the person’s crisis but effectively transition them from a street critical incident to treatment
How an LE agency 'educates' prosecutors about OIS realities
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With an officer’s future at stake, how does a prosecutor get proficient at fairly analyzing the situation in a hurry?
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