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Source- This post on Blood alcohol level determination has been created based on the article “Expert Explains: How Pune crash accused blood alcohol level can be ascertained, despite sample tampering” published in “The Indian Express” on 31 May 2024.
Why in News?
A 17-year-old boy under the influence of alcohol crashed his car into a motorbike resulting in the deaths of two people.
When sample should be collected
1. Optimal Time for Sample Collection: Experts recommend that blood samples should be collected within 10 hours of an incident. Alcohol metabolizes at a rate of approximately 10-15 mg per 100 mL of blood per hour, but this rate can vary between individuals.
2. Determining Alcohol Levels Post-Incident: Even if samples are taken after 10 hours, it is still possible to estimate the blood alcohol level at the time of the incident using residual alcohol levels.
What happens if the alcohol is completely metabolised by the time a sample is collected?
1) If alcohol is fully metabolized by the time a sample is taken, resulting in a zero blood alcohol reading, it does not necessarily mean that the individual was not under the influence earlier.
2) By assessing the amount of alcohol consumed, forensic experts can calculate the expected blood alcohol concentration at the time of the incident.
3) In legal cases, other forms of evidence can be used to establish that the individual had been drinking.
4) This can include receipts for alcoholic purchases, testimonies from bar staff or witnesses, and surveillance footage from the location.
How can tampering of blood samples be prevented?
1) Samples are securely sealed and given to the authorities to ensure their integrity.
2) Despite these precautions, there remains a risk of tampering, particularly during transportation.
3) To address this issue, AIIMS has implemented an on-site machine that measures blood alcohol levels directly, eliminating the need to send samples elsewhere for analysis.
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