Citation

Iffland R. Blutalkohol 2003; 40(6): 403-410.

Affiliation

Iffland, R., 50259 Pulheim, Germany

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

1. Double blood samples are inadmissible evidence for evaluating claims of after drink and their order is legally questionable. It is proposed to renounce second blood samples, since there are more reliable methods to evaluate these claims without the need of a second blood sample. 2. In cases of possible or alleged after drinks thorough and specific police inquiries are absolutely essential. 3. An economical method is alcohol determination in an additionally collected urine sample. This urine sample must be voluntarily given. 4. The implementation and assessment of a congener analysis in the blood sample is another method but requires specialist experience in measuring and evaluating the results. Its use is suggested in cases, when no urine sample is available yet information is available about the type and amount of alcoholic beverage used for after drink. Public prosecutors or a court of law can order this type of analysis at a later stage. A part of the blood sample must be stored frozen. Storage of the frozen sample will not alter the result of congener analysis and therefore congeners can be analysed months or years later.