The Massachusetts 2023 Breath Machine Seminar
Articles referenced in the seminar:
Establishing ReliabilityWhen we say something is reliable, what do we mean? The concept of reliability refers to a system that produces consistent results under similar conditions. Reliability is a systems concept. In other words, it is the system itself that is reliable, not necessarily the individual measurements produced. Think of reliability as the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results, repeatedly.
INCLUDES BONUS VIDEO |
The Calibration of Breath Alcohol Testing DevicesTo provide readings that are both accurate and reliable, modern breath alcohol devices employ the use of external calibration systems. The calibration systems provide an external reference reading to the breath alcohol device to help establish that the unit is producing readings within acceptable tolerances. Typically, this involves the use of either dry-gas cylinders or wet-bath simulators.
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Infrared Spectroscopy & Breath Alcohol Testing - Part 1It may seem that the numbers generated by modern breath alcohol analyzers are a little mysterious. How exactly do infrared evidentiary breath-testing devices generate Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) results? Most modern evidentiary breath alcohol testers use infrared spectroscopy to determine the presence and concentration of ethanol in the sample being analyzed. In order to understand how breath test devices capture sample data, and ultimately create breath alcohol readings, it is helpful to understand a little of the theory behind infrared spectroscopy.
This article will introduce some of the important concepts behind this technology. The follow-up article in Part 2 will first show how the technology is applied to breath alcohol testers, and in Part 3 discuss the limitations of that technology. |
Infrared Spectroscopy & Breath Alcohol Testing - Part 2In the first article of this series we introduced the electromagnetic spectra, and the concept of infrared absorption of energy. We also looked at how breath alcohol analyzers used Beer’s Law to determine both the presence, and the concentration, of ethanol.
This article will expand on those concepts. First, let's examine the abstract concept of the "fingerprint" of various chemicals, and how breath alcohol analyzers hone in on specific parts of that fingerprint to identify an individual chemical. |
An Introduction to Fuel CellsThey come in many designations: PAS, or Passive Alcohol Screeners; ASD, or Approved Screening Devices; PBT, or Preliminary Breath Testers. Sometimes they are simply referred to as Roadside Testers. Regardless of what you call them in your jurisdiction, they all have one thing in common – they utilize a fuel cell to measure the Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) in a breath sample.
INCLUDES BONUS VIDEO |
For Massachusetts 2023 Seminar Attendees
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OFFER EXPIRES Aug 11, 2023
Use Code "Mass2023" and receive 25% off current and past volumes
OFFER EXPIRES Aug 11, 2023
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Download Bonus Seminar Material:
Emerging Issues in Breath Alcohol & Drug Testing
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Information about Jan Semenoff:
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The New York Times Expose on Breath Alcohol Testing
Video duration 9:23
Video duration 9:23
Emerging Technologies - Part 2: The Draeger DrugTest 5000
Video duration 11:24
Video duration 11:24
Written support materials and Counterpoint articles:
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Breath Sample Suitability.pdf |
Bonus Counterpoint Articles:
Special Massachusetts 2023 Seminar pricing:
Subscribe to Counterpoint, starting in Volume 7, and receive 25% off the current (and past) volumes. Use code "Mass2023" at checkout.
OFFER EXPIRES August 11, 2023
OFFER EXPIRES August 11, 2023
Each volume is $129 CDN ($99 USD) annually
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