Evaluation of the Analytical Performance of a Fuel Cell Breath Alcohol Testing Instrument: A Seven-Year Comprehensive Study

• NCJ Number: 242530
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 57 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2012 Pages: 1614-1620
• Author(s): Robert J. Leonard, M.S.
• Date Published: November 2012
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study presents the results of 54,255 breath test sequences performed on 129 AlcoSensor IV-XL evidential instruments in Orange County, CA.

Abstract

Between 2003 and 2009, 54,255 breath test sequences were performed on 129 AlcoSensor IV-XL evidential instruments in Orange County, CA. The overall mean breath alcohol concentration and standard deviation from these tests was 0.141 +/- 0.051 g/210 L. Of these test sequences, 38,580 successfully resulted in 2 valid breath alcohol results, with 97.5 percent of these results agreeing within +/- 0.020 g/210 L of each other and 86.3 percent within +/- 0.010 g/210 L. The mean absolute difference between duplicate tests was 0.006 g/210 L with a median of 0.004 g/210 L. Of the 2.5 percent of duplicate test results that did not agree within +/- 0.020 g/210 L, 95 percent of these had a breath alcohol concentration of 0.10 g/210 L or greater and 77 percent had an alcohol concentration of 0.15 g/210 L or greater. The data indicate that the AlcoSensor IV-XL can measure a breath sample for alcohol concentration with adequate precision even amid the effects of biological variations. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.