Page 21 - November December Issue
P. 21
How Do Breath Machines Work?
Conclusion
The basic principles of breath alcohol testing has been known for nearly 150 years and is thus one of the oldest
and most established of the forensic sciences. In general, an evidential breath alcohol testing instrument oper-
ated properly by a qualiied police breath technician will give results that will underestimate the actual BAC.
With the advent of modern technology and detection systems (EC, IR and EC/IR) evidential breath alcohol
testers are truly instruments and not machines.
Jim Wigmore is the author of Wigmore on Alcohol: Courtroom Alcohol Toxicology for the Medicolegal Profes-
sional and speak regularly on the subject of forensic alcohol toxicology at conferences and on webinars. He has
created an online membership community for members of the medicolegal profession who aspire to learn more
about the science of forensic alcohol toxicology which is accessible through his website at
http://www.wigmoreonalcohol.com.
References:
Wigmore, J.G., “Breath Alcohol” in Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, 4: 313-317, 2013
Wigmore, J.G., and Langille, R.M., “Six Generations of Breath Alcohol Testing Instruments: Changes in the
Detection of Breath Alcohol Since 1930. An Historical Overview”, Canadian Society of Forensic Science Jour-
nal, 42(4): 276-283, 2009
Wigmore on Alcohol: Alcohol Toxicology for the Medicolegal Professional”, Chapter 3, Breath Alcohol, Irwin
Law Publishing, 559pp, 2011 at www.wigmoreonalcohol.com
21
Conclusion
The basic principles of breath alcohol testing has been known for nearly 150 years and is thus one of the oldest
and most established of the forensic sciences. In general, an evidential breath alcohol testing instrument oper-
ated properly by a qualiied police breath technician will give results that will underestimate the actual BAC.
With the advent of modern technology and detection systems (EC, IR and EC/IR) evidential breath alcohol
testers are truly instruments and not machines.
Jim Wigmore is the author of Wigmore on Alcohol: Courtroom Alcohol Toxicology for the Medicolegal Profes-
sional and speak regularly on the subject of forensic alcohol toxicology at conferences and on webinars. He has
created an online membership community for members of the medicolegal profession who aspire to learn more
about the science of forensic alcohol toxicology which is accessible through his website at
http://www.wigmoreonalcohol.com.
References:
Wigmore, J.G., “Breath Alcohol” in Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, 4: 313-317, 2013
Wigmore, J.G., and Langille, R.M., “Six Generations of Breath Alcohol Testing Instruments: Changes in the
Detection of Breath Alcohol Since 1930. An Historical Overview”, Canadian Society of Forensic Science Jour-
nal, 42(4): 276-283, 2009
Wigmore on Alcohol: Alcohol Toxicology for the Medicolegal Professional”, Chapter 3, Breath Alcohol, Irwin
Law Publishing, 559pp, 2011 at www.wigmoreonalcohol.com
21
