Can DUI Blood Tests Be Inaccurate?

 Posted on November 08, 2022 in Uncategorized

When someone is arrested for alleged drunk driving, they are taken to the police station for further testing, including breath alcohol and blood alcohol tests. During a blood test, a small sample of the arrestee's blood is drawn and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results of this test are generally admissible in court as evidence against the individual. However, it is important to keep in mind that these tests are not always accurate. In some cases, DUI blood tests can produce false positives.

Problems With Blood Alcohol Testing That May Reduce the Chances of a DUI Conviction

There are a number of factors that can contribute to inaccurate blood alcohol test results, including:

• Problems during the blood draw - If the person taking the blood sample does not do so correctly, it can lead to inaccurate results. For example, if the needle used to draw the blood is not clean, it can contaminate the sample.
• Improper storage or handling of the blood sample - If the blood sample is not stored or handled properly, it can also lead to inaccurate results. For example, if the blood sample is not refrigerated, it can break down, ferment, and produce inaccurate results.
• Inaccurate laboratory testing - The laboratory that tests the blood sample may also make errors that can lead to inaccurate results. For example, the lab may use outdated or incorrect equipment, or they may not follow proper procedures when analyzing the sample. Certain chemicals, including preservatives and anticoagulants, are added to the blood sample during testing. Too much or too little of these chemicals can also throw off the results.
• Hematocrit - When a blood sample is taken, some of the liquid portion of the blood (plasma) is separated from the solid portion (cells). The percentage of cells in the blood is called the hematocrit. The hematocrit can affect the results of a DUI blood test and needs to be taken into consideration.
• Chain of custody problems - In order for the results of a DUI blood test to be admissible in court, the prosecution must be able to establish a "chain of custody" for the blood sample. This means that they must be able to show that the blood sample was not tampered with or contaminated in any way from the time it was taken until it was tested.

Contact Our Will County DUI Defense Lawyer

It may be possible to avoid conviction for drunk driving even if a blood test showed intoxication. Contact the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C. to discuss your case with experienced Will County DUI defense attorney Jack Zaremba. Call our office at 815-740-4025 to schedule a free consultation.