Breath Tests in GA

The Law Office of Lawrence Kohn

CMI’s Intoxilyzer 5000 series breath testing machine is the current device Georgia police officers use. This machine is a breath test and it’s the most common form of checking your blood alcohol content (BAC). Police use these machines most often because they are portable and they can administer the test themselves. So chances are if you were arrested for a DUI in Georgia, you took this test, too.

If you decided to hire a DUI defense attorney, he or she will most likely know that the breath test machine has been the subject of much research and many articles. And CMI keeps this machine’s programming under top secret. What is known about this mysterious machine is that it uses infrared spectroscopy. It works by shooting a beam of light into your breath sample. Ethyl alcohol molecules will absorb some of that light. The light that is not absorbed will be measured by the machine and multiplied by 2100 to calculate your BAC.

And only Georgia’s top DUI attorneys know that that any compound containing the methyl group of molecules will absorb the 3.61 micron light wave. Don’t fall asleep - it’s important! All this means is that ethyl alcohol is not the only compound that will be absorbed by the light – any compound containing the methyl group will absorb this light wave. Studies have found that on your breath alone are over 100 compounds that contain the methyl group!

Getting Your Own Blood Test

Did you know that after you’ve given a breath test to the police, you can request your own independent test? Choose where you want to have the test completed and tell them you want to have a blood test. You will be taken to a hospital and will have to pay to have your blood drawn. But bring cash – most hospitals only accept this form of payment.

They must use a special kit for DUI cases and place your sample in a sealed box. The sample will be given to you to be used at a later date. However, if you’re sent to jail, it will be given to the police officer. Tell the officer that you do not want your test going to the state crime lab because they will have access to your test.