Georgia Breath Test
The Law Office of Head & Karettis
Georgia’s police officers use CMI’s Intoxilyzer 5000 series breath testing machine. A breath test is the most common form of testing your blood alcohol content (BAC) because these machines are portable and police can administer the test themselves. If you were arrested for a DUI in the state of Georgia, chances are you took this breath test.
What many DUI defense attorneys know is that this machine has been the subject of much research and many articles. CMI keeps the machine’s programming under tight wraps. What we do know is that the machine uses infrared spectroscopy. It shoots a beam of light through the breath sample. The ethyl alcohol molecule will absorb some of that light. The light that is not absorbed will be measured by the machine and multiplied by 2100 to calculate your BAC.
Only Georgia’s best DUI defense attorneys know that any compound containing the methyl group of molecules will absorb the 3.61 micron light wave. What does this mean? This means that ethyl alcohol is not the only compound that will be absorbed the light – any compound containing the methyl group will absorb this light wave.
And studies have found that there are over 100 compounds on your breath that can contain the methyl group!
Your Independent Blood Test
After you are arrested for a DUI and have given a breath sample to the police, you can also request your own independent test sample. You can choose where to have this test completed. If you want to request a blood test, you should be taken to the hospital where you will pay to have your blood drawn. Most hospitals only accept cash. Your blood should be drawn with a special kit for DUI cases and then placed in a sealed box.
Be aware that the facility that draws your blood may not test your blood. It will be given back to you so you can have it tested at a later date. If you are going to jail, the police officer will take it. Make sure to inform the police officer that you do not want your blood test taken to the state crime lab because they will have access to your test results.
