LEGAL BLOOD ALCOHOL TESTING

Blood alcohol content (BAC), or also referred to as blood alcohol concentration, is the concentration of alcohol in a person’s blood. Acquiring a blood alcohol level is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes.

When a person consumes alcohol, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and can be measured within minutes of having an alcoholic drink.  Once the alcohol enters the body, the liver begins to metabolize (break down) the alcohol.  Approximately 90% of alcohol is broken down in the liver and the rest of it is eliminated through urine and exhaled breath.   However, because alcohol is metabolized at a slower rate than its absorption, consumption must be controlled to prevent accumulation in the body, which of course is referred to as intoxication.  BAC is used to determine an individual’s intoxication level, and it provides an estimate of his/her level of impairment at that specific time.

A BAC may be used if law enforcement suspects someone is under the influence of alcohol and the BAC results may help determine if the person has broken any impairment laws.  The blood specimens drawn will be sent to law enforcements “crime lab” for forensic analysis and retained as evidence.  The testing can be slow and a lengthy process.

However, a person who has been contacted by law enforcement and detained due to a suspicion of intoxication has a right to have an independent BAC test performed on the specimens drawn. Having an independent BAC result may help the person and their defense attorney make an informed decision regarding the person’s case.