The impact of severe lung disease on evidential breath analysis collection.
作者信息
Seccombe Leigh M, Rogers Peter G, Buddle Lachlan, Karet Barbara, Cossa Gavina, Peters Matthew J, Veitch Elizabeth M
机构信息
Thoracic Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Sydney University, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
Thoracic Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia.
出版信息
Sci Justice. 2016 Jul;56(4):256-9. doi: 10.1016/j.scijus.2016.04.004. Epub 2016 Apr 20.
BACKGROUND
It is a legal requirement to supply a breath analysis sample when requested by Police at roadside checkpoints. The current device requires a 1L sample at 8L·min(-1). Court disputes commonly attribute respiratory disease for failure to produce a sample.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether respiratory disease aetiology and/or severity precludes an adequate breath sample using a modern evidential breath analyser.
METHODS
Subjects performed breath analysis following standard Police procedure. Three efforts within 15min were allowed and any reasons for failure recorded.
RESULTS
24 subjects with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and 26 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were studied and met minimum respiratory function criteria as per device specifications. 18 ILD subjects (75%) and 24 COPD subjects (92%) were able to provide a sample. All subjects with a vital capacity below 1.5L were unable to provide a sample.
DISCUSSION
In the balance of probabilities most patients with lung disease are able to supply an evidential breath sample. The exception is a very severe disease, particularly in volume limited patients.
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