| Alcohol testing is essential in the enforcement of | | | | Blood testing is another form of alcohol testing often |
| alcohol related crimes like DUI and DWI. Alcohol testing | | | | associated with DUIs. A blood alcohol test involves |
| methods have been constantly improving to become | | | | taking a blood specimen from the accused and testing |
| more accurate and less invasive. This continual | | | | the blood alcohol level directly. This type of test |
| progress of alcohol testing is beneficial for both sides | | | | normally occurs at the processing center, after one |
| of the law. Here is a list and brief description of the | | | | fails a field sobriety and Breathalyzer test. Blood |
| five most common forms of alcohol tests normally | | | | testing is far more accurate than field sobriety and |
| associated with DUIs. | | | | Breathalyzer testing, but it is also more expensive. |
| 1. Field Sobriety Test | | | | Because of this, other testing methods are more |
| A field sobriety test is the most basic and inaccurate | | | | frequently used. |
| form of alcohol testing. Field sobriety testing involves | | | | 4. Saliva Test |
| basic tasks that measure balance, coordination and | | | | Saliva tests are becoming more and more common |
| response time. Intoxication can generally be clearly | | | | for identifying alcohol use. Saliva testing is very |
| identified when conducting field sobriety tests like the | | | | accurate and can identify alcohol use in the past 24-48 |
| one legged stand and straight like walk. Contrary to | | | | hours. This type of testing is often used in conjunction |
| popular belief, it is very hard to "pass" a field sobriety | | | | with other tests to compare results. The financial |
| test when inebriated. Field sobriety testing is often used | | | | downside of a saliva test is that it is very expensive. |
| in conjunction with a Breathalyzer during suspected | | | | The legal downside to this type of test, as my Seattle |
| DUI traffic stops, which brings me to the next type of | | | | DUI lawyer explained to me (and your Seattle DUI |
| alcohol test: | | | | attorney will surely tell you), is that the results of saliva |
| 2. Breathalyzer Test | | | | testing cannot be used as evidence for any legal |
| A Breathalyzer is a portable device that tests an | | | | matters. It can, however, be very useful in other fields |
| individual's blood alcohol content by measuring the | | | | where alcohol testing is mandatory. |
| amount of alcohol in the lungs. A Breathalyzer is blown | | | | 5. Urine Test |
| into by the suspected and gives law enforcement an | | | | Urine testing is commonly used in the employment |
| immediate result. This result isn't exact, but is a very | | | | screening process, but can also be used to identify a |
| accurate estimation. Although Breathalyzer testing is | | | | DUI. Urine testing is fairly inexpensive compared to |
| more accurate than field sobriety testing, there is still | | | | blood and saliva testing, but it is very accurate. Urine |
| room for error. Breathalyzers must be property | | | | testing can be compromised by one substituting |
| maintained and used by law enforcement for an | | | | someone else's clean urine for their own. However, |
| accurate result. | | | | monitored urine testing is making it more difficult to |
| 3. Blood Test | | | | "cheat" this test. |