Drink Driving Blood Test - Question (1 Viewer)

Apr 13, 2012
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I've been asked to organise the sending of a sample of blood (not mine!) for independant testing.

The samples were taken in hospital by the police for suspected drink driving.

The bag (sample) I have been given has the 'Suspects' details on one side, PC's signature, doctors signature etc.

On the other side the senders details are the PC's name and the address of the police station.

I looked online to find a chemist to send the sample and I expected to fill in the 'Suspects' name and address on the sample bag.

My question is do these independant results get sent to the 'Suspect', who is paying for the test, or the address of the police station?

It says on the bag that the senders details cannot be changed

@Chris ??
 
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pappajohn

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Give it back to the named copper and tell him to sort out.
But I fail to understand why the hospital can't send it, they must have a list of approved labs.
 
Feb 24, 2013
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cant see the point in paying for a duplicate test TBH, thought I would when I got done in 1976, morning after I realised my mistake and took the consequence :(

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Barclaybasher
Apr 13, 2012
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cant see the point in paying for a duplicate test TBH, thought I would when I got done in 1976, morning after I realised my mistake and took the consequence :(

She is applying for a new job, thinks she's going to be under but doesn't want to wait 4-6 weeks (the police say) their test will take
 

pappajohn

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I assume she was hospitalized otherwise there would have been a second breath test at the police station.

Fail the roadside AND station breath tests it's pretty conclusive any blood or urine test will come back positive.
 
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Barclaybasher
Apr 13, 2012
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I assume she was hospitalized otherwise there would have been a second breath test at the police station. Fail the roadside AND station breath tests it's pretty conclusive any blood or urine test will come back positive.

No breath test, taken to hospital for check

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Abacist

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Ask a drink drive specialist lawyer. They can advise how important your sample is and how to get it tested.
 
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Will this test have any legal standing, isn't there some form of 'chain of evidence' thing or have I been watching too many CSI type programs?

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Abacist

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It's the sample that is important, not the test. Is it your blood and if so then it is a cross check on who the police use. Some sample should be retained in case a different result is obtained to the police sample to enable a further test.

Mistakes can and do happened!
 

TheBig1

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by involving an unqualified third party, as in you, the evidential value is lost of any test
 
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Barclaybasher
Apr 13, 2012
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by involving an unqualified third party, as in you, the evidential value is lost of any test

The sample bag is sealed, I am just trying to send it for testing.

It doesn't make sense that the sample the police took will take 4-6 weeks when the results for her independant check is sent to the police station

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May 8, 2016
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I have seen this problem a few times in cases in which I have been consulted.

The requirement to provide a sample for independent testing is enshrined in law. If this is not provided, and it is challenged in court, the prosecution can fail. From a moral standpoint I am not proud of the fact that I have helped a driver who was quite likely intoxicated walk free from court, with costs and damages from the police (who had "leaked" the case to a local paper) awarded against them for failing to offer the sample for undependent testing and who acted appallingly in their handling of the prosecution (it is my job to represent and not judge the client, and nobody else was hurt)

I have also seen the police lose or confuse evidence, and it is sensible (if there is reasonable cause to suggest that the alcohol level was marginal) to have an independent test carried out. Be aware that it is not a cheap process, around £200 and there is a turnaround of up to 14 days

Vic, I recommend the services of Medichecks https://www.medichecks.com/find-a-test/test/Alcohol-Check-police-Drink-Drive-sample_LALC/. The sample should be kept chilled, and less than 4 weeks old when sent for analysis

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Barclaybasher
Apr 13, 2012
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I have seen this problem a few times in cases in which I have been consulted.

The requirement to provide a sample for independent testing is enshrined in law. If this is not provided, and it is challenged in court, the prosecution can fail. From a moral standpoint I am not proud of the fact that I have helped a driver who was quite likely intoxicated walk free from court, with costs and damages from the police (who had "leaked" the case to a local paper) awarded against them for failing to offer the sample for undependent testing and acted appallingly in their handling of the prosecution

I have also seen the police lose or confuse evidence, and it is sensible (if there is reasonable cause to suggest that the alcohol level was marginal) to have an independent test carried out. Be aware that it is not a cheap process, around £200 and there is a turnaround of up to 14 days

Vic, I recommend the services of Medichecks https://www.medichecks.com/find-a-test/test/Alcohol-Check-police-Drink-Drive-sample_LALC/. The sample should be kept chilled, and less than 4 weeks old when sent for analysis

Thanks for that

The 'senders address' section on the back of the bag has been filled in with the PCs details and his police station as the address.

Should I alter the name and address to that of my friend ? - as clearly she wants the results sent to her not the police

Could she have been given the wrong sample?


Was she given the wrong sample bag
 

ABZSteve

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Don't know how to answer this without getting banned
 
May 8, 2016
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You're very welcome, Vic.

Best to contact Medichecks, but the report is paid for the use of the person whose blood is sent in, The police should not be made aware of the independent testing, unless their analysis reveals that the blood alcohol level is at or below the limit. In which case tell them as soon as possible, usually through a local solicitor, and they should withdraw from action.

In fairness to the police, it is VERY unlikely that they have provided a wrong sample. If there is any cause for doubt, Medichecks should provide the blood group of your friend as part of their analysis, and that can be checked with your friend's dr to ensure it is the same. Even if it is, and you remain convinced they have confused the samples, then you may need to arrange DNA testing to be sure (further cost). Again, Medichecks or your friend's GP will be the people who can arrange that

Sorry to say justice seldom comes cheap. Remember that the test may come back marginal, and the police may nit proceed with legal action, they usually give the benefit of doubt to the accused

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pappajohn

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Last time, early 80s, I was 'nicked' and breath sample, both roadside and machine, proved over and I opted for blood test rather than urine and was given a sealed container of my blood by the police doctor on call to do with as I thought fit.
As I couldn't say 'blood sample' at the time I figured it would be pointless getting it analysed so I poured it down the sink.
 
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Barclaybasher
Apr 13, 2012
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You're very welcome, Vic.

Best to contact Medichecks, but the report is paid for the use of the person whose blood is sent in, The police should not be made aware of the independent testing, unless their analysis reveals that the blood alcohol level is at or below the limit. In which case tell them as soon as possible, usually through a local solicitor, and they should withdraw from action.

In fairness to the police, it is VERY unlikely that they have provided a wrong sample. If there is any cause for doubt, Medichecks should provide the blood group of your friend as part of their analysis, and that can be checked with your friend's dr to ensure it is the same. Even if it is, and you remain convinced they have confused the samples, then you may need to arrange DNA testing to be sure (further cost). Again, Medichecks or your friend's GP will be the people who can arrange that

Sorry to say justice seldom comes cheap. Remember that the test may come back marginal, and the police may nit proceed with legal action, they usually give the benefit of doubt to the accused

I don't think the sample is wrong, just perhaps she was given the police sample with their details on the back

Do I change the details ?
 
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Barclaybasher
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Good on you David
We all make mistakes in life.
You accepted the consequences and got on with your life, whereas so many people blame everyone else for what'a gone wrong.

Well that's it then folks ..........Guilty without a trial........ I was looking for information

The lady concerned was taken to A & E for a check- up, police were informed by A & E.......... needs a result of the test ASAP, not 4 - 6 weeks

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May 8, 2016
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It is simply duplication of labelling they use for their own purposes.

Don't change the labelling as it may devalue the evidence, leave it exactly as it is but attach (firmly) a luggage tag with the name and address to which the report should be sent. Medicheck are best to advise - they do this all the time
 
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Robert Clark

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Well that's it then folks ..........Guilty without a trial........ I was looking for information

The lady concerned was taken to A & E for a check- up, police were informed by A & E.......... needs a result of the test ASAP, not 4 - 6 weeks
I want referrring to the lady you mentioned. I was replying to David.
 
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It grieves me to say;

But if it is that important, get lawyers on the case prefferable a DUI expert.

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Barclaybasher
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I want referrring to the lady you mentioned. I was replying to David.

Apologies then (y),

I have advised the lady to see a solicitor and send the blood sample off to the firm that @pyro suggested........... it's getting too complicated, I don't think she's been charged yet, can't even remember driving or the accident, she was unconscious at some point, a friend saw her crashed car took her home then to hospital as she became unresponsive - airbag had gone off passenger side but not drivers side...I don't know enough

As I said too complicated for me to advise her what to do
 

Hollyberry

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You'll be able to phone the lab to ask advice re labelling. It's possible they'll email a form to be submitted with the sample.

I've had to pay for private blood tests in last few months ( GP practice/ NHS lab messed up tests twice!) Private lab I used was brilliant, very helpful on phone.
 

TheBig1

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sounds very dodgy to me. maybe even a case of assisting an offender and leaving the scene of an accident

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May 8, 2016
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An alleged offender.

There is a slim line between speculation and judgment.

It is pretty much SOP to take a sample where there is an RTA and an unconscious party. It is unusual but understandable that the person concerned is so apprehensive as to the cause.

Does the person concerned have legal protection on their policy?
 

suavecarve

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As stated above, standard procedure if intoxicants are involved in an RTC. If she knows she is under why bother with the test. If the test comes back positive then send it off. If i remember rightly you should keep it refrigerated, but it goes through the post as well so dont know how important that is. From what you say she hasnt been charged with DD, but might have been reported for the consideration of the question of prosecuting for careless/dangerous/speeding/whatever. If she is under she has nothing to worry about.
 
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Thanks for that

The 'senders address' section on the back of the bag has been filled in with the PCs details and his police station as the address.

Should I alter the name and address to that of my friend ? - as clearly she wants the results sent to her not the police

Could she have been given the wrong sample?


Was she given the wrong sample bag
Don't know if this has all reddy Ben sad just labill it up don't change any thing written on sampil
Put it in another bag seald with the persons name address whare the results are to be sent send it recorded delivery
My son had a sumthing simler he had not had a drink
The sampil that was anilised by the police lab put him just over the legal limit his sampil shows nothing
On analysis pleas do keep it could
Bill

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