Lack of effect on evidential breath alcohol analysis with blood in the oral cavity.

Blood in the oral cavity during a breath alcohol analysis has been asserted to be a potential cause of falsely high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) readings by defense lawyers. The defense argues that the blood from oral trauma decreases the reliability of breath alcohol analysers even with the slightest (< 2 ml) volume of blood in the mouth. In the current report we provide actual field evidence demonstrating blood in the oral cavity has no effect on BAC measurements by breath alcohol analysers. (Author/publisher) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD Abstract No. E201067.