[Sobriety testing in case of lack of cooperation of the examined person--the legal basis of the physician's activities].

The legal aspect of blood sample taking for alcohol concentration from suspicious, uncooperative persons is described in this paper. The Polish law allows for a possibility to take blood samples for alcohol concentration from suspects only by a physician or another skilled medical worker and only when consent is given to the medical procedure. The traffic act makes an exception for cases when the suspects are drivers and the suspicion concerns driving under the influence of alcohol. Taking blood samples is the medical worker' obligation in accordance with the law. The physician can refuse to do this only when the procedure threatens the life or health of the suspect.