BCA Says Hundreds Of DWI Breath Tests Once In Doubt Were Actually Accurate

ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says hundreds of DWI breath tests previously called into question have been verified as accurate, bringing closure to a statewide review that temporarily halted DWI testing in October.

In a statement Friday, the BCA said its laboratory scientists “mathematically verified” that the identified evidentiary breath test results from the state’s DataMaster (DMT) instruments are valid.

The issue stemmed from cases in which law enforcement operators entered incorrect alcohol concentration values when replacing dry gas cylinders used to calibrate the instruments.

After discovering the data-entry errors in September, the BCA ordered a statewide suspension of DMT testing on Oct. 13 while it investigated. The agency has since reviewed each instance and recalculated the results using the correct gas concentrations.

"BCA lab scientists conducted a mathematical recalculation of all identified tests using the correct alcohol concentration of the installed cylinder, determining the control tests were successful and within established margins despite the data entry error," the agency said.

The BCA added that scientists are prepared to testify that this analysis proves the control tests—and all subsequent breath tests—are accurate. Notifications are being sent to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors with affected cases.

To prevent future issues, the BCA has permanently halted dry gas cylinder replacements by law enforcement officers.

Only BCA personnel will perform those replacements going forward. The agency has already secured and verified more than half of all DMT instruments statewide and expects to complete the process in the coming weeks.

"The BCA is committed to maintaining the highest level of accuracy in DWI testing," officials said, adding that operator training has been updated to reflect the procedural changes.