What constitutes a force likely to cause death or great bodily harm?

A force that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm includes actions that have a high potential for severe injury or lethal outcomes. Both a baton headstrike and hitting someone’s head on the pavement are examples where the application of force poses a significant risk of serious injury or death.

A baton headstrike is categorized as a potentially lethal use of force, as striking someone in the head with a baton can lead to traumatic brain injury or other serious injuries. Similarly, when an individual hits their head on the pavement, the risk of life-threatening injuries such as skull fractures or concussions increases drastically.

On the other hand, warning shots do not constitute a force likely to cause death or great bodily harm since their intent is not to injure but rather to deter or signal a warning. The use of warning shots typically aims to avoid confrontations rather than escalate into a situation where serious injuries would occur.

Thus, both the actions of using a baton in such a manner and causing a person to strike their head against a hard surface fit the criteria for being considered as use of force likely to cause severe bodily harm or death.