CHEMICAL TEST EVIDENCE IN DWI CASES: SOME ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

This paper presents an overview of some of he issues and challenges made to chemical test evidence in courtroom proceedings. A brief history and development of chemical test evidence is presented including blood, urine and breath test evidence. Per se laws have increased the importance of the chemical test result which frequently becomes the primary focus of the defense challenge. Breath alcohol testing is the most frequently conducted test and consequently receives the greatest attention and scrutiny in court. It is concluded that when measured against the total number of tests conducted, chemical test evidence is generally not a significant problem in successful prosecution of a DWI case.

• Corporate Authors:

  Brain Information Service

  California University, Center for Health Science
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90024
• Authors:
  • Van Berkom, L C
• Publication Date: 1991-12

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 229-234
• Serial:
  • ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND DRIVING
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue Number: 3-4

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol breath tests; Alcoholic beverages; Blood analysis; Chemical tests; Courts; Drunk driving; Per se laws; Traffic safety; Urine
• Old TRIS Terms: Blood tests
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00620798
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1992 12:00AM