Compliance by code: The need for automated protocols in breath alcohol testing – case reports

The accuracy and reliability of forensic breath alcohol testing depends on adherence to established protocols for observation periods and operator responses to instrument status messages. This paper presents two case reports illustrating procedural errors following status messages produced by the DataMaster DMT breath alcohol analyzer. In both cases, operators failed to follow the required procedures after receiving messages indicating the presence of mouth alcohol or interfering substances. These cases demonstrate how operator discretion and failure to follow established protocols can result in unreliable or inadmissible results. The findings reinforce the need for automated software controls that eliminate operator discretion in breath alcohol testing procedures. Implementing automated protocols would enhance quality assurance, reduce legal challenges, and improve the scientific validity of breath alcohol testing in forensic contexts.