PROCEEDINGS of the HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS SOCIETY 45th ANNUAL MEETING- 2001 HUMAN FACTORS ISSUES IN FATAL SHOOTINGS: AN ANALYSIS OF FOUR CASES

Four cases are summarized in which the defendant was charged with first-degree murder, but where the evidence supports a high likelihood of an accidental shooting when analyzed from a human factors perspective. Empirically based knowledge of human behavior in high stress situations is used to understand what likely happened in terms of the defendant's behavior. The handgun involved in one case is evaluated in terms of its ergonomic design deficiencies, and how those deficiencies contributed to a probable accidental shooting is explained. The nee _ for human factors professionals to become involved in serving as expert witnesses in these types of cases is emphasized. INTRODUCTION involved as expert witnesses, the sentences for three of these four defendants might have been more severe. In Colorado, as well as other jurisdictions, if a person is killed in a shooting incident, regardless of the CASE # 1"A YOUNG BLACK FEMALE ADULT circumstances, the shooter usually will be charged wit