Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> DUI Blog

Criminal Law

: DUI Blog

Videotaped Manipulation of Breathalyzer Inspections?

By Lawrence Taylor

I have written ad nauseum about the inaccuracy and unreliability of breathalyzers.  See, for example, How Breathalyzers Work (And Why They Don’t). Sources of inaccuracy occur, among other reasons, because of inherent design defects, defective and inaccurate software, physiological variability of subjects tested, improper administration by police, and unreliable maintenance and calibration.   The latter is a continuing problem in police agencies across the country — including the tendency to falsify maintenance and calibration records.  This is done to validate questionable test results — to permit admissibility as evidence in court and to support  public and judicial confidence in the machines.  These behind-the-scenes procedures are, of course, difficult to detect...continue to full post

Full post as published by DUI Blog on October 27, 2010 (boomark / email).