In the context of drivers' tendencies to falsify and conceal their alcohol consumption when questioned, the determination of gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) has been found to be a sensitive indicator of this, and an economical source of information. This paper reviews earlier and new research findings on the normal range of GGT, and discusses their use in examining DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) offenders and their general impact on driver aptitude. The results of an experiment by Kornhuber et al are now available. This paper describes the results of this work, together with data evaluations performed so far. Psychological examination of DUI offenders rapidly showed that the new findings, both for GGT and for transferases in general, are very useful for exploring alcohol consumption. With the more accurate GGT limit values now found, reported alcohol consumption can be checked more accurately, reported alcohol abstinence can be disproved more easily, and periods of abstinence can be controlled better. A typical individual case history is described in detail. Earlier and later expert reports were also compared using a statistical analysis of a random sample of 110 examined cases in each of the years 1988/89 and 1991/92, further confirming the GGT-alcohol correlation.
Abstract