Defense attorney Brian Gabriel has fought against the Intoxilyzer 8000 for years and is so passionate about the subject because he is determined to fight for the lives on the line that are at the mercy of the machine’s shortcomings. 
We have touched upon the subject of mouth alcohol before; it is the substance that causes the Intoxilyzer 8000, Florida’s only approved breath test for evidentiary purposes, to produce escalated readings that are inaccurate and detrimental to the accused’s prospects. These abnormally high and false results have led to dire consequences for thousands of people who have been accused of DUI, including those who were drinking responsibly or not at all. Mouth alcohol can affect the results of a breath test through many different avenues. If the person taking the breath tests regurgitates or even hiccups during the testing process, the presence of mouth alcohol has the potential to skew readings. If the accused rinses his or her mouth with mouthwash just before a breath test, this can also damage the results. In addition, any dental work the accused may have can be the source of mouth alcohol, even dentures.
Why are dentures a problem for the Intoxilyzer 8000?
As silly as it sounds, a person who relies on dentures and is arrested for DUI in Florida has the potential to contaminate his own breath sample with mouth alcohol. Dentures, fillings, or fixtures such as bridges all have the potential to trap alcohol around the teeth and gums. All Intoxilyzer 8000s contain a mechanism to allow them to differentiate between mouth alcohol and alcohol present in the air that comes from deep inside your lungs; however, there are reasons why that mechanism may not function as intended. When the mechanism fails to detect mouth alcohol, it reads that alcohol as if it were the alcohol present in the alveoli sacs deep inside your lungs. This leads to inflated and inaccurate results. When the machine does detect mouth alcohol, the test is interrupted and the administrator is prompted to begin anew.
The Intoxilyzer 8000 relies upon infrared spectroscopy to detect the concentration of alcohol in one’s breath. There are specific procedures that the administrator of the test must follow to ensure the accuracy of the test results, and the machine itself must be properly calibrated and regularly maintained. Despite the advanced technology behind the I-8000, a DUI test subject is always at risk of having operational or human-caused errors taint the results of the test. Those risks are heightened when the person’s dental work, which obviously cannot be removed or adjusted prior to a test, makes the presence of mouth alcohol more prevalent.
Seeking Strong DUI Representation
DUI charges have the potential to unravel everything you worked for. If you enjoy driving privileges, a job, and spending time with your family, these can all be affected by faulty breath test results. At The Law Office of Gabriel & Gabriel, Brian Gabriel makes it his top priority to do everything possible to produce the best results for his clients. Attorney Brian Gabriel has proudly dedicated his career to criminal defense as a trial lawyer in Palm Beach and neighboring counties. When facing such charges, you need a headstrong and determined attorney like him to guide you through these trying times. Contact Brian Gabriel at 561-622-5575 for a free case evaluation today.