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The Intoximeter 3000 and the four minute fallacy
Medicine, Science, and the Law
|May 30, 1998
Summary
Breathalyzer clock inaccuracies do not invalidate Lion Intoximeter 3000 results. Studies show that minor clock time deviations do not affect breath alcohol measurements within normal tolerances.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- The Lion Intoximeter 3000 is a device used for measuring breath alcohol content.
- A claim suggests that clock inaccuracies exceeding four minutes invalidate its measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To scientifically evaluate the claim regarding clock time validity for the Lion Intoximeter 3000.
- To determine if clock deviations impact the accuracy of breath alcohol measurements.
Main Methods:
- Simulated breath alcohol samples were used for testing.
- Measurements were taken with the Intoximeter 3000 clock set at various times.
Main Results:
- Breath alcohol values remained within normal tolerances regardless of clock time variations.
- The study found no technical basis for the claim of invalidation due to clock error.
Conclusions:
- The claim that Lion Intoximeter 3000 breath alcohol values are invalid due to clock errors over four minutes is technically incorrect.
- Clock time accuracy within the tested parameters does not affect the reliability of breath alcohol measurements.