LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Michigan State Police have announced that some irregularities have been found with alcohol breathalyzer devices.
Police say that as of January 7th, a stop order has been issued towards a contract with a breathalyzer manufacturer. It has not currently been said what the exact issues with the device are.
The contract is for a device called the Datamaster DMT breathalyzer. The device is manufactured by National Patent Analytical Systems of Mansfield, Ohio, and calibrated by Intoximeters Inc., which is based out of St. Louis, Missouri.
Police say that the issues concern problems with the Intoximeters not properly calibrating the devices, which was previously its own responsibility. Michigan State Police will now use “fully certified MSP personnel” to calibrate the devices.
Police say that some prosecutors overseeing drunk driving cases have been notified of the error, and that all appropriate cases are being reexamined to determine whether or not a faulty device played any factor in a reading.
Police also say that breathalyzers are only one method of determining intoxication levels, as blood tests are often administered as well.
The contract previously signed with Intoximeters Inc. required the company to perform maintenance checks every 120 days.
