Reader’s Question:

I was wondering how accurate are the blood alcohol testing procedures for a DWI in Washington DC?

Grey

Washington, DC

The Washington DC police officers offer suspects of DWI to have their alcohol level tested either by urine, blood alcohol or breath test. Urine testing is the least reliable and is not often performed by the law enforcements.

Blood alcohol testing is thought of by the majority to be the most reliable and accurate method of knowing a person’s blood alcohol concentration. But this is the least desirable and the most inconvenient method for the police. The arrested person can allow his or her blood alcohol test done by his or her own available expert to test their blood sample for accuracy.

Breath testing is the easiest method for the police to use in the streets of Washington DC. However, the reliability and accuracy of breath testing is still being debated by the scientist. Moreover, breath samples cannot be preserved for additional tests to check the first test’s reliability and accuracy. Hence, it is impossible to use extra testing to show that the breath test was wrong which could result in an innocent person being unfairly charged. The District of Columbia can save from each breath samples, but the police is very adamant to use this method.

In other words the law enforcement would like to use the least expensive, easiest, and debated chemical test available.