NCJ Number
230151
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 42 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2009 Pages: 252-259
Date Published
December 2009
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study involved an analysis of the blood-alcohol levels of a sample of impaired drivers in Canada whose blood-alcohol analysis was conducted at the "Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de medecine legale" in Montreal, Quebec during 2008.
Abstract
The study found that for each day in 2008, there were two accidents that involved drivers who were required to submit to a blood sampling because they were not able to provide breath samples due to injuries or other reasons. These drivers were most often young adult males. In half of the cases, the blood alcohol concentration was twice the legal limit. The accidents occurred most often on weekends between midnight and 4:00 am. The number of such accidents that required medical care decreased during the winter months (December to March). This study was based on 689 requests for expert analysis following the taking of blood samples using two "approved containers" as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada. The study did not include blood analysis of seized hospital blood samples so as to ensure the chain-of-custody requirements. Also, the study did not include blood analysis in cases where drivers died following the accidents. 2 tables, 5 figures, and 11 references