Citation

Hurst TS. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1998; 31(4): 269-274.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00085030.1998.10757121

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

One hundred and three patients, referred by their physicians for tests at a pulmonary function laboratory in a large hospital, attempted to provide an acceptable breath sample into an Alcotest® 7410 GLC roadside breath alcohol screening device after completion of their pulmonary function tests. The ability of these patients, with varying degrees of respiratory impairment, to provide an acceptable sample was correlated with their pulmonary test results. The results showed that subjects with a forced vital capacity of less than 1.25 litres (5 of 5) failed to provide an acceptable sample; one third of those with a vital capacity between 1.25 and 1.75 litres (6 of 18) also failed; and only a small number (3 of 80) of those with a vital capacity greater than 1.75 litres failed. The limiting factor in the ability to provide a satisfactory sample for the Alcotest® 7410 is the patient's vital capacity, rather than their ability to produce high respiratory pressures or flows.