Manipulator arm The manipulator arm was a long , thin , mechanical arm found on all Dalek models except for the Emperors , the Time War Emperor ' s guards and special weapons models . The manipulator arm was found in the right - hand socket in the Dalek midsection , with the gunstick on its left . Its function varied depending on its design , and it could be swapped out for a tool more specific to the Dalek ' s current needs . Types . Plunger . The ends of the manipulator arms typically were shaped like a plunger . For this reason , Dalek technology often had circular controls which the Daleks could arm or disarm by rotating . The black tip at the end , which gave the arm its " plunger " shape , could alter its form to better interact with specific objects , for example , finding the combination of electronically - locked doors . ( TV : " Dalek " ) Even if the Dalek died , its arm could still operate machinery for a live person ( TV : " Remembrance of the Daleks " ) . The arm also had a telescopic feature to extend its length . ( TV : " The Dalek Invasion of Earth " , " Dalek " ) It could also serve as a weapon ; with the tip placed over the nose and mouth , the arm could generate suction to suffocate and kill a human and enough traction to crush a human skull or rip through sheet metal . ( TV : " Dalek " , TV : " Doomsday " , PROSE : " I Am a Dalek " ) The Tenth Doctor claimed to have seen one crush a brick with ease . ( PROSE : " Prisoner of the Daleks " ) At least in the case of the Cult of Skaro , the arm could also scan brainwaves for information or act as a quick intelligence scan . ( TV : " Doomsday " , " Daleks in Manhattan " ) However , if a large amount of information needed to be analysed , it could be drained out by force by encasing a subject ' s head inside their " plunger " tips , which would stretch the victim ' s head and brain to wring out their knowledge through information probes . The probes were strong enough to have a deadly effect on humans , draining them so fiercely that their bodies shrivelled up and became burned out husks . ( TV : " Doomsday " ) Imperial Dalek s had a more conical variant , with a slotted rim specifically designed to operate controls . ( TV : " Remembrance of the Daleks " ) Flamethrower . Referred to by Daleks as pyro - flames , these were small cylindrical pieces at the end of the arm which shot a stream of fire to clear swaths of forest . ( TV : " The Daleks ' Master Plan " ) The Daleks later used other flamethrower s , which they referred to as flame guns , to melt through ice when searching for " the Abomination " . The ends resembled the Progenitor Daleks ' eyestalks . ( COMIC : " The Only Good Dalek " ) Daleks in the First World War used flamethrowers to clear forest s to pursue the Eleventh Doctor and his companion s . The flames came from their arms . ( COMIC : " The Dalek Project " ) Seismic detector ( or perceptor ) . A small device which looked like a compass suspended on gimbals , the seismic detector was employed to locate enemy time machines outside the vortex . It could also detect approaching life - forms or the paths of fleeing ones , even through sealed doors . ( TV : " The Chase " ) Electrode unit . The electrode unit was a device which looked like a radar dish . It could operate electronic controls remotely . It was used in this manner to enter the Mechanoid City . ( TV : " The Chase " ) Sieve . Kaled mutant s were inserted into the Dalek shell during assembly by a Dalek fitted with a sieve instead of a plunger . ( TV : " The Power of the Daleks " ) Syringe . One of the members of the Cult of Skaro had an alternative attachment - a syringe . The syringe was fastened directly to the end of the manipulator arm in place of the plunger . ( TV : " Daleks in Manhattan " ) Blowtorch . To cut through doors , early Daleks used a long , thin instrument with two spheres and a clear disc set midway up . ( TV : " The Ambush " ) Assault Dalek s had a claw and blowtorch combination . These were used for cutting through strong metals such as Hydra Combination and for picking up objects normal Daleks couldn ' t . ( TV : " The Parting of the Ways " , PROSE : " Prisoner of the Daleks " ) Daleks in the Vault in the Crucible had a diamond - shaped interface to work with machinery and technology within the Vault . They resembled eight clawed arms . ( TV : " Journey ' s End " ) Cutting tool . The Daleks used a hot iron to cut through metal . On Spiridon they used one to cut through a thick door . ( TV : " Planet of the Daleks " ) Alternative weapons . One alternative weapon was seen on two of the Emperor ' s Personal Guard . It seemed to be an upgraded Dalek gunstick , but significanty larger , and with a large sphere on the end . The other side still possessed a gun . Another of the Dalek Emperor ' s guards had an arm with forward - jutting silver protrusions on a small ball . ( TV : " The Parting of the Ways " ) Dalek X ' s elite guards had no manipulator arms . They had double gunstick s . ( PROSE : " Prisoner of the Daleks " ) Others . A Dalek on the Dalek Saucer Survey Ship Sigma used a fire extinguisher arm to put out the fire after the ship collides with Survey Ship Delta . ( COMIC : " The Dalek Project " )