tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post7390235394681718606..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Holy junk science, BAT van! Houston's portable breathalyzers accuracy questionedGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-73371236160731037912011-09-20T07:57:35.543-05:002011-09-20T07:57:35.543-05:00Pretty funny comment 11:09. Tell us Jethro why wou...Pretty funny comment 11:09. Tell us Jethro why would someone take a chemistry class to calculate the error in a measurement system when you really just need to study up on your ciphering?<br />"If brains was lard, Jethro couldn't grease a pan."<br /><br />The obvious problem with these machines is the degree of uncertainty relative to the measurement. It's like using a tape measure to determine the size of a gnats ass.<br />See http://texascriminaldefenselawyer.blogspot.com/2008/07/intoxilyzer-5000-machine-tolerance.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36104248577649326722011-09-20T01:03:20.892-05:002011-09-20T01:03:20.892-05:00I say go for the blood. It typically will be high...I say go for the blood. It typically will be higher than the breath and then you can test for what other intoxicant the suspect has ingested.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-14367499953369932812011-09-19T19:39:50.043-05:002011-09-19T19:39:50.043-05:00well 2:05 I think the one has an understanding pro...well 2:05 I think the one has an understanding problem and is rediculous as you call it is in fact YOU!<br /><br />NOT too many ways to take this quote from the original article!<br /><br />"Even when working properly, the margin of error for some versions of the instrument is up to 25%."<br /><br />the way any inteligent normal person would read that statement is <br /><br />"when working propertly some versions of this instrument are WORNG 1 out of every FOUR times it's used!"<br /><br />now if the reporter had some guts they would have discovered WHAT MODELS and IDENTIFIED them and found out what TEXAS organizations were USING THEM!rodsmithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-63940828680477467862011-09-19T15:56:23.951-05:002011-09-19T15:56:23.951-05:00You know, you're right, 2:05. Henceforth, I...You know, you're right, 2:05. Henceforth, I'll only accept scientific information from anonymous blog commenters who provide no sources for their assertions, since of course they're renowned for their accuracyGritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-23408414898992610752011-09-19T14:05:17.410-05:002011-09-19T14:05:17.410-05:00Grits, you're referencing defense attorneys fo...Grits, you're referencing defense attorneys for scientific arguments? Really? The criteria for the Intoxilyzer as 0.020 is the acceptance criteria btwn the two results obtained, otherwise it is not considered a valid test. It is not the uncertainty of the measurement (the confidence that the true value of the unknown lies somewhere in that percent window). This is just one example that 11:09probably noted. And, it most certaintly doesn't mean that 1 out of 4 tests is completely wrong, rodsmith. That's a ridiculous misunderstanding of science.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-47201945126632251072011-09-19T10:35:47.549-05:002011-09-19T10:35:47.549-05:00Since I hold an earned master of science in physic...Since I hold an earned master of science in physics, and my thesis (a photometric study of a binary star system) was based on differential photometry, I believe that I have an uncommon amount of insight into the inner machinations of ‘breathalyzers.<br /><br />The problems of breathalyzers are manifold. This is not a myth, etc.. As one poster stated the fact that the source code is not open to public scientific scrutiny ought to be the first clue to the problems associated with these machines. The second clue ought to be something called the ‘partition ratio.’<br /><br />Frankly, if I was placed on a DWI jury that was presented breathalyzer results as evidence I would in all good conscience have to give it very little if any credence. The science is simply not there.<br /><br />The Fishing PhysicistAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-43408080513773465052011-09-19T10:22:02.511-05:002011-09-19T10:22:02.511-05:00He called you a journalist? Them's fighting wo...He called you a journalist? Them's fighting words!<br /><br />RageAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-52890921964005624482011-09-18T22:14:09.309-05:002011-09-18T22:14:09.309-05:00what scared me was this!
"Notably, the compa...what scared me was this!<br /><br />"Notably, the company that makes the breathalyzer won't actually reveal the source code behind its analysis, nor guarantee beyond one year that their products will be free from defects in material and workmanship. Even when working properly, the margin of error for some versions of the instrument is up to 25%."<br /><br />So let's see first they refuse to show thier scoring system to anyone. So why is it even being used when there is no way for anone to test it! Second what kind of junk is it that they refuse to guarantee it's operation let alone it's accuracy after 1 year and they know some of them have a 1/4 FAILURE RATE WHEN BRAND FRIGGIN NEW!<br /><br />which means 1 out of every 4 person ran though one is marked wrong. either a drunk is put back on the road. or an INNOCNET person is subjected to the american INJUSTICE system!rodsmithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-5527301972280716272011-09-18T12:04:21.904-05:002011-09-18T12:04:21.904-05:00I guess the HPD lab supervisor who said the BAT te...I guess the HPD lab supervisor who said the BAT tests were inaccurate also needs a high-school chemistry class, right 11:09?<br /><br />Nobody in the government is going to slow down the gravy train by admitting the BATs aren't foolproof (which is why Culberson had to leave). Way too many jobs at stake, and MADD would go apeshit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20562950036692917082011-09-18T11:37:59.852-05:002011-09-18T11:37:59.852-05:0011:09, go ahead, dazzle me with your scientific ac...11:09, go ahead, dazzle me with your scientific acumen and explain the basis for your grade.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81892100792982897002011-09-18T11:09:37.665-05:002011-09-18T11:09:37.665-05:00Once again, GFB demonstrates why journalists and a...Once again, GFB demonstrates why journalists and attorneys have such difficulty with matters of science and measurement. Back to high school chemistry with you. Try to get a C this time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com