The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) announced on Friday that the results of DWI breath tests, which were previously questioned for validity, have been confirmed as accurate. This conclusion follows a thorough review that addressed concerns about data entry errors.
Earlier this month, the BCA had mandated a suspension of the use of DataMaster instruments across all law enforcement agencies in the state until the accuracy of the data entered into each device could be verified. According to BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, the errors were particularly noted during the replacement of dry gas cylinders used for control tests, raising doubts about the validity of hundreds of test results.
During a press conference, Evans reiterated the bureau”s confidence in the reliability of the testing instruments, stating, “As I said before, we stand behind the instruments and the validity of the testing and the reliability of the instruments across Minnesota. Our scientists are prepared to testify to the results of the new calculations and the instruments that they have done for a long time.”
The BCA became aware of the data entry issues in September. Following the bureau”s directive, several law enforcement agencies, including St. Paul police and the sheriff”s offices for Ramsey, Dakota, and Washington counties, were able to resume the use of breath tests shortly thereafter.
BCA laboratory scientists conducted a mathematical recalibration of the affected tests using the correct alcohol concentration from the installed cylinder. They determined that the control tests were successful and fell within acceptable margins, despite the earlier data entry errors. BCA officials stated that they would stand ready to testify regarding the validity of these control tests.
Law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys whose cases were impacted by this issue have been notified of the findings. DataMaster machines, which are utilized at various law enforcement offices statewide, conduct between 19,000 and 20,000 tests annually. Initial errors were identified in Aitkin, Winona, and Chippewa counties, followed by further discoveries in Hennepin and Olmsted counties.
In an effort to mitigate future issues, the BCA will now oversee all dry gas cylinder replacements for DataMaster instruments, prohibiting law enforcement personnel from performing these replacements. Access to the dry gas cylinder compartment on all DataMaster instruments has been restricted to BCA staff only.
As of Friday, over half of the DataMaster instruments have been verified for proper installation and secured, with the bureau expecting to complete this process in the coming weeks. Additionally, updates to training for DataMaster operators have been implemented, with further information to be provided on the BCA website.
