Citation

Zimmer H, Schmitt G, Herbold M. Blutalkohol 2004; 41(3): 203-209.

Affiliation

Zimmer, H., Inst./Poliklin. Arbeits-/Sozialmed., Universitatsklinikums Heidelberg, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The internet is becoming increasingly important in terms of the number of users, a fact that can be proven by looking at the number of readily available on-line blood alcohol calculation programmes. The aim of our investigations was the testing and examining of free on-line programmes available in the internet as to their suitability for forensic purposes, even if they were not explicitly designed for that purpose. We chose and tested ten on-line programmes for the calculation of blood alcohol concentration. We used the test data set of Lessig et al. (1999) and compared the reported values with the calculated ones. The maximum permitted value deviation from the data set of Lessig et al. (1999) was 35%. Values below this limit were all accepted. When comparing the calculated results with the given values visible differences became apparent in several cases and the range of variation was 1.5(per mille). These deviations are caused by the kind of indication of results as, with the exception of one programme, a single value and no indication range was always registered. This meant the individual discrepancies, such as different resorption deficits could not be taken into account. Furthermore, calculations were made with different and partly not specified calculation models. Half of the programmes used did not specify safety margins and/or did not consider alcohol degradation starting from beginning of drinking. The results of the programmes used can therefore merely be used as guidelines, as details regarding drinking habits are not taken into consideration. An expert opinion is indispensable for the individual assessment of the effect of alcohol and/or for the determination of criminal responsibility.