Tell me when in a situation where a hostage is taken...

[NeoSioType]

what are the chances the hostage lives when a police officer fires at the villan for an instant kill? Like in the movies? Assuming a shot to the brain means instant death could reflexes set the gun off?

[Mes Tarrant]

Well considering only about 52% of dreamviews members have ever been in that situation, I think that's tricky to answer with any kind of certainty..

[Ynot]

You can normally tell by how far through the film is Near the start of the film, chances are the hostage dies this sets up the "this time it's personal" revenge story arc making for a good action film Near the end of the film, chances are the hostage lives this sets up the "hero gets the girl" happy ending

[Man of Steel]

...and in real life it depends on how good of a shot the good guy is, and if the bad guy was really serious about shooting the hostage.

[Invader]

I think what Neo is trying to ask is: If the hostage was being held at gunpoint with law enforcement present, what would be the chance that the abductor's gun goes off if one of the agents takes a chance by shooting him in the head? It's a common theme to have the abductor put the gun to the hostage's head as a means of getting other would-be heroes to refrain from shooting, so that the abductor can buy themselves some time. If I shot the abductor in the head, is there a chance that their body would react in some way that would cause them to squeeze that trigger?

[metcalfracing]

Its actually very likely, because the shot would cause most muscles to tense up... including the fingers.

[mindwanderer]

Wrong! Sorry, don't mean to be blunt buuuut..... all S.W.A.T special forces and sharp shooters are trained to shoot for the base of the brain to take out the medulla. Level with the hostage taker would mean a shot right on the tip of the nose, this would instantly shut off the persons nervous system killing him/her instantly. A shot through the medulla leaves absolutely no chance of reflex, as well I've seen a good deal of real videos where hostage takers are killed... and I've never seen a HT get a shot off, even when the shot isn't to the medulla. So basically chances are VERY low with a head shot... and 0 with a medulla shot. 100th Post! Finally!

[O'nus]

Sounds like a good mythbusters episode. ~

[Specialis Sapientia]

mindwanderer is right.