Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1.
Relative probability of being responsible for a fatal automobile crash increases with rising BAC.
Tables
Specimen Multistudy Average Range of Averages Studies (n) Urine 1.29 1.01–1.44 15 Serum or plasma 1.16 1.12–1.18 4 Vitreous humor 1.14 0.99–1.34 8 Saliva 1.13 1.10–1.20 4 Cerebrospinal fluid 1.08 0.92–1.18 4 Skeletal muscle 0.90 0.89–0.91 2 Brain 0.84 0.62–1.24 9 Kidney 0.66 – 1 Liver 0.60 0.56–0.63 Adapted from Garriot JC, ed. Medicolegal Aspects of Alcohol (ed 3). Tucson, AZ: Lawyers & Judges Publishing Co., 1996.
Height (cm) Weight (kg) Widmark Factor “r” (L/kg) Women Men 155 50 0.68 0.77 170 60 0.68 0.77 175 70 0.65 0.74 180 80 0.63 0.72 190 90 0.63 0.72 195 100 0.61 0.70 Adapted from Barbour AD. Simplified Estimation of Widmark “r” Values by the Method of Forrest. Sci Just 2001;41:53–54.
BAC % Intoxication 0.01–0.05 Only slight physiological impairment 0.05–0.07 Euphoria, increased self-confidence, impairment of reaction responses 0.07–0.10 Impairment of reaction sponsors, attention, visual acuity, and judgement; individual may appear sober 0.10–0.20 Increased impairment of a sensory motor activity. Reaction times, attention, visual acuity, and judgment progress to increase in drowsiness, disorientation, and emotional lability 0.20–0.30 Staggering, drunk, lethargic, sleepy or hostile, and aggressive 0.30–0.40 Unconscious or in a stupor +0.40 Coma and possible death Adapted from Rao KN. Forensic Toxicology Medico-Legal Case Studies. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2012.
Parameter Rating Breath odor of ethanol Very strong, strong, moderate, faint, none Attitude Excited, hilarious, talkative, carefree, sleepy, profanity, combative, indifferent, insulting, cocky, cooperative, polite Unusual actions Hiccups, belching, vomiting, fighting, crying, laughing Speech Not understandable, muffled, slurred, mush mouthed, confused, thick tongued, stuttered, accent, fair, good Eyes Watery, pupil dilated, bloodshot, red eyelids, apparently normal Balance Falling, needing support, wobbling, swaying, unsure, fair, sure Horizontal gaze, nystagmus (i.e., smooth pursuit) a. Pencil held horizontally 12–15 inches from nose b. Over 6 seconds, move pencil to the extreme left and right of eye field, repeat × 2 c. Subject observed for “lack of smooth pursuit” (i.e., no jerking or tremor eyeball) d. Jerk at maximum deviation e. Hold pencil at maximum for 4 seconds and observe for jerking toward center Reaction to light If no drugs are present, the pupils should constrict within 1 second after penlight beam strikes the eye Balance (walk and turn) a. Read instructions (don't start until instructions are finished) b. Rated as follows: starts too soon or cannot keep balance c. Walking stage (rate 1st 9 steps and 2nd 9 steps) d. Rated as follows: misses heel to toe, steps off imaginary line, raises arms, number of steps taken One-leg stand a. Stand for 30 seconds with the left foot raised 6 inches off the ground b. Rated at 0–10, 11–20, 21–30 seconds for: swaying, raising arms, hopping, foot down Quality of the speech (say the ABCs) Slurred or thickened speech Finger-to-nose Assess motor coordination Finger count Counting fingers then touching thumb forward and backward Counting backward Assess thought processes and concentration
