An Independent Review of the Intoxilyzer 9000
Part 1 – Residual mouth alcohol detection
Counterpoint Volume 2; Issue 2 – Article 3 (August 2017)
An article in the Core Skills III-2 Module
Jan Semenoff, BA, EMA
Forensic Criminalist
The opportunity to conduct an independent analysis and performance review of a new breath alcohol testing device is rare, particularly the higher-end, evidentiary-level units.
Access to these technologies is stringently controlled by both their manufacturers and the police and government agencies that control them.
Additionally, state agencies are often reluctant to publish the results of their official assessments and analysis of the devices.
When given the opportunity to perform such a review on a new Intoxilyzer 9000, I designed a series of experiments to quickly analyze the overall performance of the device.
I attended the device’s location with colleague Tom Workman (1948 – 2019) to determine its suitability and reliability in a number of key areas, including:
- Overall design and ease of use
- Accuracy in determining in vitro [2] BrAC levels using a simulator
- The ability of the device to determine the presence of Fresh Mouth Alcohol using a Residual
- Alcohol Detection System (RADS) or the so-called “slope detector”.
- Reliability in reporting BrAC [3] readings that are highly specific to ethanol
- The effect of Radio Frequency Interference on the device [4]
This article will provide a general overview of the operational characteristics of the Intoxilyzer 9000. We will additionally look at the apparent accuracy of the device using simulator readings, and examine the ability of the device to “flag” false positive reading caused by fresh mouth alcohol contamination.
Read the rest of Part One here
Parts two and three are in the drop down menu at the site but not easy to notice. The links are below if you have trouble.
Part Two and Part Three will examine the unit’s specificity towards ethanol detection and its ability to identify the presence of an interferent chemical, and the capacity of the device to detect Radio Frequency Interference.
Related Articles
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
More Posts
A historic cannabis shift is one of the latest election year moves
AP StoryPresident Joe Biden may potentially ban TikTok, but he aims to offer young individuals, who largely influence this widely-used social media platform, a more lenient government regulation regarding marijuana. Facing a decline in support from an important...
New rule mandates time and a half pay for lower paid employees
Qualified lower-paid workers who earn a salary but work more than 40 hours in a week will soon be entitled to guaranteed time-and-a-half pay, thanks to a new labor rule announced by the Biden-Harris administration. This rule will raise the salary thresholds necessary...
People v Williams Michigan COA – Police CPL Check
People v WilliamsMichigan Court of AppealsNo 365299 (04/18/24) MCL 28.425f permits a police officer to ask a person observed to be carrying a concealed weapon to produce their concealed pistol license (CPL) at any time and for any reason. Makes possession of a...
Underage Workers in Factories Spark Fines, Investigations, and Legislation
A New York Times report exposed widespread child labor in a Michigan factory, prompting state and federal authorities to take action. The report focused on a Hearthside Food Solutions plant in Kentwood, alleging the presence of numerous underage workers. Michigan's...
Understanding Domestic Violence Laws in Michigan
Understanding Domestic Violence Laws in MichiganDomestic violence is a serious issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. If you are experiencing domestic violence in Michigan, it's important to know your rights and the laws that protect...
Macomb Prosecutor issues first charges under new safe storage law
Understanding Domestic Violence Laws in MichiganMacomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido has filed the first charges under Michigan's new safe storage law following a critical accident in Warren. An 8-year-old boy allegedly accessed an unsecured firearm and shot himself...
Marijuana grow busted as feds investigations trend in more states
The DEA is investigating international criminal organizations that are operating illegal marijuana grows in about 20 states, including Maine.The significant electricity usage in a residence, its windows concealed with cardboard, and the scent of marijuana caught the...
A visit with a kick
POW - Right in the Kisser. Businesses watch out for the lawA Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain was hit with a lawsuit by the Biden administration at the same time the president stopped by one of their locations on the campaign trail. Sheetz is being accused...
Woman tried to board flight with 56 pounds of marijuana
Woman allowed airport police to check her luggage, had name tag on bags, according to reportsBefore a 21-year-old Memphis woman could board an United Airlines flight, Memphis International Airport Police found 56 pounds of marijuana in her luggage, according to...
You’re too stupid to store a gun properly
The Biden administration once again defends a ban in federal court, arguing that people who use marijuana should be prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. They claim that this restriction is supported by historical precedent and that individuals who...