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Legal Blood Alcohol Testing in the U.S. Military
Peter L Platteborze1, Kelly W Wilhelms1
1Department of Pathology and Area Laboratory Services, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, JBSA-FSH, San Antonio, TX 78234.
Analyzing legal blood alcohol test (LBAT) results from 2013-2014 revealed significant issues with sample integrity and testing efficiency. Process improvements were initiated following the identification of rejected samples and negligible ethanol levels.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Laboratory Medicine
- Military Health Systems
Background:
- Legal blood alcohol tests (LBATs) are critical for legal proceedings.
- Laboratory process improvement is essential for maintaining testing accuracy and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze legal blood alcohol test (LBAT) results.
- To identify areas for laboratory process improvement within the Department of Defense.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of LBAT requests and results from Brooke Army Medical Center.
- Data collection spanned calendar years 2013 and 2014.
- Inclusion of sample origin (installation) and test outcome (tested/rejected).
Main Results:
- 365 samples were received from 11 installations; 351 were tested, and 14 were rejected.
- Nearly one-third of tested samples showed negligible ethanol levels.
- One installation submitted 10 rejected samples, triggering laboratory intervention.
Conclusions:
- Timely LBATs are crucial for the Department of Defense.
- LBAT results possess higher legal admissibility than routine clinical ethanol tests.
- Analysis identified specific areas for improving LBAT submission and testing protocols.
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