US EditionBCA Confirms Accuracy of Minnesota DWI Tests Despite Error Concerns
The Minnesota BCA confirmed that up to 276 breath tests remain accurate after recalculations corrected dry gas cylinder data entry errors in DataMaster devices.
- On Friday, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension mathematically verified that alcohol breath test results from DataMaster instruments are reliable and accurate.
- In September, the BCA discovered incorrect dry gas cylinder data entry for DMT instruments and halted machine use while investigating.
- Recalculating results, BCA laboratory scientists used the correct alcohol concentration, confirmed control tests succeeded within margins, and will issue amended reports to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and defense attorneys.
- The verification supports fairness in DWI proceedings as the BCA confirmed nearly 300 cases may not be affected and notified local law enforcement, prosecutors and defense attorneys.
- So far the BCA has verified and secured more than 50% of DMT instruments, only BCA personnel will replace dry gas cylinders, and future updates will appear on the BCA website.
21 Articles
21 Articles
BCA: DWI breath test results accurate after 200+ previously suspected invalid
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has verified that DWI breath test results previously suspected to be invalid are accurate, the bureau said Friday. The BCA had ordered all law enforcement agencies in the state to suspend usage of DataMaster instruments last month until they verified that data was correctly entered into each instrument. Errors had been “identified … in particular when changing out a dry gas cylinder that is used for …
BCA confirms accuracy of DWI breath test results after data entry errors
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) confirmed the accuracy of certain DWI breath test results questioned due to data entry errors. The errors involved incorrect alcohol concentration entries for dry gas cylinders…
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BCA says DWI tests that were in question are accurate
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says it has “mathematically verified” that the alcohol breath test results that were in question involving the DataMaster machine are “reliable and accurate.” “We stand behind the instruments and the validity of the testing and the reliability of the instruments across Minnesota,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said during a press conference Friday afternoon. He added that BCA laboratory sc…
BCA gives an update on DMT breath test instruments, says results of DWI tests in question are accurate
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says it has mathematically verified that the identified evidentiary breath tests involving DataMaster (DMT) instruments used in DWI testing are accurate.
BCA stands by breathalyzer data after 'recalculation' of faulty tests
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said that agency scientists are prepared to testify to the accuracy of questionable breathalyzer tests after a ‘mathematical recalculation’ of each test to correct for data entry errors.
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