| When a police officer takes a suspected criminal into | | | | changed much over time. A few modifications have |
| custody, one of the first things he or she must do is | | | | been made to the shape of the key, as well as to |
| restrain that suspect. Handcuffs are the most | | | | the shape and size of the cuffs, but the internal |
| common way of doing so, and are almost always | | | | locking system has remained the same since its |
| used during an arrest. However, there has been | | | | invention by Mr. Adams. The purpose of handcuffs, |
| some concern over the past several years that | | | | too, has remained the same: to help detain a subject |
| lawbreakers will continue to find ways to escape | | | | in times of need, to guard the safety of police and |
| from their handcuffs after they have been | | | | civilians, and to allow a police officer to continue to |
| restrained. Though this doesn't occur on a regular | | | | do his or her job while keeping a suspect in custody. |
| basis, the argument is that these escapes take place | | | | Over time, the question has arisen of whether or not |
| too often. And it is an argument that is proving to be | | | | handcuffs prove effective in highly volatile situations. |
| very strong. | | | | While many suspects do not resist arrest or act |
| In order to understand the function of handcuffs, it is | | | | combative, some suspects do require tougher |
| important to trace their origin. The modern handcuff | | | | restraint. Which is why, in recent years, various |
| used by police officers today dates back to the late | | | | handcuff manufacturers have begun creating new |
| 1800s, when an inventor by the name of W. A. | | | | designs for handcuffs. Several companies have built |
| Adams patented the design. The objective of Adams | | | | their designs around a concept of strength and |
| was to create a set of wrist-cuffs with prongs that, | | | | complexity: if the lock is harder to manipulate, and if |
| when closed, would automatically lock, and could only | | | | the material used to manufacture the cuffs is |
| be opened by using a small key. This proved to be | | | | stronger, subjects will be less likely to escape. Under |
| an effective way to restrain subjects being placed | | | | this theory, new and innovative types of handcuffs |
| under arrest, held for questioning, or who were | | | | are now being developed. Modern handcuffs for a |
| combative. | | | | modern generation of lawbreakers, these restrains |
| While the handcuffs of today are somewhat | | | | make escape nearly impossible for even the most |
| different in appearance, the basic design has not | | | | ingenious of criminals. |