Journal Published Online: 01 September 1987
Volume 32, Issue 5

Breathalyzer® Accuracy in Actual Law Enforcement Practice: A Comparison of Blood- and Breath-Alcohol Results in Wisconsin Drivers

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Breathalyzer® and blood-alcohol results from drivers arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and for related offenses were compared during a two-year period. Four hundred and four pairs of breath- and blood-alcohol results from specimens collected within 1 h of each other were studied. Blood-alcohol concentrations ranged from zero to 0.421% weight per volume (w/v). Breath-alcohol concentrations ranged from zero to 0.44 g/210 L. The mean Breathalyzer result was 0.16 g/210 L. The mean blood-alcohol result was 0.176% w/v. Compared to the blood-alcohol result, Breathalyzer results were lower by more than 0.01 g/210 L 61% of the time, within 0.01 g/210 L 33% of the time, and higher by more than 0.01 g/210 L 6% of the time.

Author Information

Harding, P
Toxicology Section, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI
Field, PH
Toxicology Section, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI
Pages: 6
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS11174J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11174J