Calling a taser "less than lethal" is like calling a firearm "less than lethal". Not everybody dies from gunshot wounds just like not everybody dies from a taser attack. I'd call a taser a "less than messy" weapon. No blood unless the subject experiences trauma from the fall.
Tasers use high voltage to drive current through the body. They do it in a pulsing manner so we're talking about what is commonly known as "AC" or alternating current. The problem with assuming that they won't kill someone is that each person is different and also, the point of contact on the body matters, just like bullet placement matters.
Ohms Law tells us that the amount of current that flows through a conductor is proportional to the impedance of that conductor. What is the impedance of a human? How does that quantity differ from person to person. How much current will actually lead to death. Most electronic defense shock devices incorporate a current limiter. What if the subject can experience lethal results below the limiting threshold?
For sure I'd rather be tased than shot because if death doesn't occur, then recovery is quick. However, LEOs need to consider that, just like any other weapon, it's use needs to be considered in a serious manner. Death can result.
