TITLE:
To Assess the Reliability of Electronic Breathalyzer and QED (Quantitative Ethanol Detector) Test Kit as a Supportive Testing Method for Examination of Drunkenness
AUTHORS:
Joseph Sriyan Dinesh Peiris, Pradeep Rohan Ruwanpura, Dandeniya Arachchi Samadhi, Dadallage Tharanga De Silva
KEYWORDS:
Alcohol, Breathalyzer, Quantitative Ethanol Detector
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.4,
April
21,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Ethanol is a common drug of abuse which leads to various medicolegal issues in Sri Lanka. It is clinically assessed currently and needs a supportive testing method during examination. Methods: An electronic breathalyzer and quantitative ethanol detector test kit were used as testing methods. The electronic breathalyzer was used to blow into the mouthpiece to get a value. The quantitative ethanol detector test kit was used by soaking the cotton bulb end with saliva within the mouth, and then inserting it into the device to get a value. Results: 112 cases were analysed using QED and breathalyser. 46 Cases were analysed using GC-MS. Analysis of QED with GC-MS was done using Chi-square tests and symmetric measures. P value error of QED with GC-MS was 0.024. Analysis of breathalyzer with GC-MS was done using Chi-square tests and symmetric measures. P value error of breathalyser with GC-MS was 0.009. Other variables were calculated as a percentage. Conclusion: The breathalyzer and QED test results correlated with Gas Chromatography, with a p-value error of