From Les Hearn
The point about the Active Denial “pain ray” weapon, which, when fired causes pain in the victim without leaving a mark, is that it is not designed to subdue, as claimed in your article (11 May, p 44). In this it differs from tasers, water cannon and projectiles. Potential victims would do anything to avoid the pain, which in crowded situations could lead to injury in others fighting to get away, or even a stampede. Similarly, if fired at close quarters, the wielder of the weapon would be at risk from defensive violence, rendering its use in prison disturbances unwise.
If, however, one was going to design the perfect method of torture, this would come close. The psychological damage would be greatly compounded by the complete lack of physical evidence. Survivors would be unable to successfully seek asylum in countries where even gross physical signs are often discounted as self-inflicted.
If these weapons become available they will inevitably be used to torture, which is why they must not be made.
London, UK
