Alcohol Measurement Process & Source Distinction
In this section:
What This Is: The alcohol measurement process must produce a quantifiable TAC curve and distinguish between consumed and external alcohol
Why It’s Important:
- Allows judges to make accurate and enforceable rulings
- Minimizes the likelihood of false positives
- Does not wrongly incarcerate offenders
How SCRAMx Delivers:
- SCRAMx reliably produces quantifiable alcohol measurements in the form of TAC curves, and conclusively distinguishes between ingested and environmental alcohol for several reasons:
- Employs an active, controlled sample delivery system
- Uses the industry-validated and proven Draeger fuel cell
- Employs a thorough data analysis and review process using professionally-trained analysts who can confirm drinking events using court-proven criteria
Controlled Sample Delivery System
Why SCRAMx’s active, controlled sample delivery system is important:
- Before a controlled sample containing the offender’s transdermal alcohol is introduced into the fuel cell, the air around the bracelet is measured for the presence of alcohol
- Next, a precisely controlled volume of the air sample containing the offender’s transdermal alcohol is taken from a sample collection chamber and introduced to the fuel cell using a pump
- A TAC level is calculated from this precisely-controlled sample (same as evidential breath testers)
- This process is repeated, painting a recognizable and quantifiable TAC curve for each drinking event
Draeger Fuel Cell
Why a proven sensor technology, like the Draeger fuel cell, is important:
- Draeger fuel cell technology has been used for decades in all types of alcohol measurement devices and independently validated
- Has been proven through decades of research and experience, and accepted by the forensic community in alcohol testing applications (same fuel cell used in evidential breath testers)
- Draeger fuel cells are the most sensitive and ethanol-specific alcohol sensors in the world
Data Analysis and Review Process
Why a thorough data analysis and review process is important:
- AMS further ensures accuracy by employing a thorough data analysis and review process conducted by professionally-trained analysts who understand the nuances of real-world bracelet use
- Process identifies the presence of environmental alcohol and looks at key characteristics of the TAC curve to ensure that only true drinking episodes are confirmed
- Refined over seven years with over 120,000 offenders, and validated in numerous settings that contain environmental alcohol
- Has the highest accuracy and lowest error rates in the industry
