What amendment addresses excessive use of force, including deadly force?

The Fourth Amendment is primarily concerned with protecting individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, and it imposes a standard of "reasonableness" that governs law enforcement conduct, including the use of force. This amendment has been interpreted by courts to apply to situations where law enforcement officers use physical force against individuals.

When evaluating excessive use of force, the Fourth Amendment becomes relevant because it assesses whether a law enforcement officer's actions were reasonable under the circumstances at the time of the incident. The standard applied is the "objective reasonableness" standard established in the case of Graham v. Connor, which helps determine if the amount of force used was appropriate based on the specifics of the situation, such as the severity of the threat posed.

In cases where deadly force is employed by law enforcement, the Fourth Amendment requires that the force used be proportional to the threat faced. Thus, any claims or allegations regarding excessive use of force, including cases of deadly force, are primarily evaluated through the principles established by the Fourth Amendment.

The relevance of the other amendments primarily relates to different aspects of legal rights and protections. The First Amendment addresses freedom of speech and expression, the Fifth Amendment concerns due process and self-incrimination, and the Eighth Amendment deals with cruel and unusual punishment