Taking a breathalyzer test

[QueenB]

Hi,
Can someone please tell me if you take a breathalyzer will it give a reading no matter how long you actually blew into it for? If so, does the officer have to log it somewhere and calibrate it in between every reading?
Thanks

[Citicop]

In my state, the reading shows up no matter how low (even down to 0.000%). When a suspect takes a test for me, I record the information in my police report, as well as in the log for that instrument.

I calibrate the instrument for my department at least every 35 days. It does not need to be done after each use in my state.

-Citicop.

[QueenB]

Would it come up as invalid, or no reading at all? It would just come up with numbers every time?

[Legoate]

It will usually come up with no number at all or give a reading of something to the effect of "insufficient sample". Normally you get three tries to breathe into the machine. Then you are marked as a refusal to chemical breath testing and a blood sample is obtained (forcibly if need be).

Your mileage may vary with your state law and department policies.

[Citicop]

There are error messages on the DataMaster (the device used by MY department; there are many many different units in use throughout the US).

"Invalid Sample" comes up when the "slope detector" feature of the unit is activated. This can occur when the subject blows in short bursts instead of a single steady breath, or when mouth alcohol is present, or several other occasions.

If it is just a low reading, then we get numbers no matter what they are.

-Citicop.

[ChesCopPodz]

It would come up with an insufficient sample if the person did not blow for long enough. The machine does not need to be calibrated after each test. It's usually about a month or so, depending on state laws. However, during each test, the machine does an internal self test. If there is something wrong with the machine, it will say so during that self test.

After the breath test, the machine automatically prints out the test results including the internal test results to show that the machine was indeed working properly at the time.

[BJJVad]

Depends on the machine. Some can manually trap the number if someone is trying to mess with the way the test is operated.

[Curt581]

Hi,
Can someone please tell me if you take a breathalyzer will it give a reading no matter how long you actually blew into it for?

No, it will not. The machine requires a minimum volume of breath supplied at a specific pressure to render a valid measurement. It requires two separate samples to provide a valid test. If you don't blow enough air, or not hard enough, or don't blow the second sample, the machine will mark the result "Insufficient Sample". Do that enough times, and the machine itself will mark the test a Refusal... which will result in a 12 month minimum license revocation instead of a 6 month suspension.

If so, does the officer have to log it somewhere and calibrate it in between every reading?
Thanks

There is a log, but it contains minimal information. Generally, only the date, time, arrestee name and operator name. The machine is calibrated by a DMV technician about once every other month. More often if it sees alot of use. The machine performs several internal tests, including a test of the ambient room air, and a calibration check during each test. If it fails any one of the checks, it disables itself and an alternate test must be given (blood).

[scott715us]

Hi,
Can someone please tell me if you take a breathalyzer will it give a reading no matter how long you actually blew into it for? If so, does the officer have to log it somewhere and calibrate it in between every reading?
Thanks

Common defenses that are attempted to be brought up by attorneys, but are futile attempts. As already mentioned by others, the machines available the last several years require a specific amount of pressured air or it will kick the sample out. In other words, you can't fake the breath you give in the machine. We will know. As far as calibration, the state crime lab checks ours every month and it also has internal self checks. There is a log for every person that submits a breath test, the operator, and the results, including those that refuse to submit (document with a "r").

[retdetsgt]