Have studies been conducted on the use of pepper spray by law enforcement?

Information on the use of pepper spray by law enforcement are available in the following resources produced or sponsored by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ):

• Pepper Spray: Research Insights on Effects and Effectiveness Have Curbed Its Appeal
• Police Use of Force, Tasers and Other Less-Lethal Weapons and in the NIJ-sponsored publications:
• Deaths in Police Confrontations When Oleoresin Capsicum is Used
• Evaluation of Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) Use by Law Enforcement Agencies: Impact on Injuries to Officers and Suspects, Final Activity Report

Additional information is available by doing a search of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Abstracts Database/Virtual Library.