Level of lung function required to use the Camic Datamaster breath alcohol testing device

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Respiratory Medicine
• Traffic Law

Background:

• Failure to provide a breath specimen is an offense under the UK's 1988 Road Traffic Act.
• Suspects often claim difficulty in providing breath samples for evidential analysis.
• This necessitates understanding the respiratory performance required for sample provision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the respiratory performance levels needed to provide a satisfactory breath sample for the Camic Datamaster evidential breath testing device.
• To investigate the role of spirometry values in successful breath sample provision.

Main Methods:

• Experiments were conducted on human subjects, including healthy individuals and those with various respiratory illnesses.
• Respiratory performance was measured using spirometry.
• The ability to provide a satisfactory breath sample for the Camic Datamaster was assessed.

Main Results:

• Both actual spirometry values and the percentage of predicted spirometry values were identified as crucial indicators.
• Respiratory performance levels directly correlate with the ability to provide an adequate breath sample.
• Individuals with respiratory conditions may face challenges in meeting sample requirements.

Conclusions:

• Spirometry measurements are vital in determining an individual's capacity to provide a valid breath specimen.
• Understanding these physiological parameters can aid in evaluating claims of difficulty in providing breath samples.
• This research contributes to the legal and medical understanding of evidential breath testing.