Can DWI blood tests be wrong?
Typically, those who are stopped by the police with accusations of driving while intoxicated are given a Breathalyzer test. There are other options, though, because you could have a urine sample taken or have blood drawn.
Of all the tests, blood tests are typically the most accurate, but they can be inaccurate if they aren’t performed correctly. Getting too much oxygen into the tube, using the wrong tube and delaying the testing could all lead to inaccurate results.
It’s important to consider challenging a DWI if the blood test doesn’t seem to reflect reality.
Inaccurate tests due to the wrong test tubes being used
One of the ways that tests could come back inaccurate is if the wrong test tubes were used. When you look at blood tests, you’ll notice that they come in different sizes and colors. These often denote what the mixtures inside contain. If they are mixed with blood and tested, they come up with results of a certain type based on the test being performed. Using the wrong test fluid could lead to inaccurate results.
Oxygen negatively impacts blood tests
Another risk is exposing the blood to air. When the blood is exposed to air, it may begin to clot up and dry out. Bacteria could also be introduced, and the blood may become more acidic. All in all, this could lead to a higher blood alcohol concentration result than is accurate.
Mishandled blood samples
Finally, mishandling tests is a big problem. Delaying the test for too long, for example, may result in the blood sample no longer being viable. If this happens, a new vial should be drawn instead of trying to get the expired tube tested.
All of these issues can lead to inaccurate blood tests. If you believe that the sample that was taken from you was not tested appropriately or came back inaccurately, it’s important to tell your attorney and to prepare to contest the test results. With the right help, you may be able to get the test samples excluded from the case or prove that they are not a good source of evidence due to errors