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Georgia's
police
departments
currently
use CMI's
Intoxilyzer
5000 series
breath
testing
machine.
Since a
breath test
is the most
common
method of
checking
a BAC,
chances are
that if you
have been
arrested for
a Georgia
DUI, you
were at
least seated
in front of
one of these
machines.
This machine
has been the
subject of
much
research and
many
articles.
CMI is very
secretive
about the
machine's
programming.
It functions
by using
infrared
spectroscopy.
Basically,
it shoots a
beam of
light
through the
breath
sample.
The molecule
of ETOH
(ethyl
alcohol)
will absorb
some of that
light.
The
remaining
light that
is not
absorbed is
measured by
the machine,
multiplied
by 2100
and
converted to
a BAC.
Georgia's
best DUI
attorneys
know that
the theory
of infrared
spectroscopy
in Georgia
DUI cases
depends on
the fact
that any
compound
containing
the methyl
group of
molecules
will absorb
the 3.61
micron light
wave.
One compound
that has the
methyl group
of molecules
is ethanol,
which is the
alcohol
found in
alcoholic
beverages.
The more
ethyl
alcohol, the
more light
will be
absorbed.
The problem
is that not
just ethyl
alcohol is
absorbed,
any compound
containing
the methyl
group will
absorb this
light wave.
What does
all that
mean for
you?
How many
compounds
can you have
on your
breath that
contain the
methyl
group?
Studies
indicate
that there
are over 100
compounds on
your breath
that can
contain this
group.
See the
Georgia DUI
Defenses
page for
more
information
on how to
challenge
the results
of the
Intoxilyzer
5000.
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