Intoximeters Alco-Sensor FST User manual

Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
PROTECTEDA
Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual1of302018‐12‐18
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Alco‐SensorFST®
Operator’sManual
(BRITISHCOLUMBIA)


©HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada,representedbytheRoyalCanadianMountedPolice
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisdocumentmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,
photocopying,recordingorotherwise,orstoredinaretrievalsystem,withoutpriorwrittenpermissionoftheDirectorGeneral,Learningand
Development.


Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
PROTECTEDA
Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual2of302018‐12‐18

NOTICE
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ThismanualhasbeenpreparedbytheBritishColumbiaAssociationofChiefsofPolice(BCACP),
ImpairedDrivingAdvisoryCommittee(IDAC)withrepresentationfromRCMPNationalForensic
LaboratoryServices.ThemanualhasbeencreatedfrommaterialsprovidedbyIntoximetersInc.,the
manufactureroftheAlco‐SensorFST®.ThismanualconformstoBritishColumbiaprovincial
standardsandlegislationandisprovidedtopoliceofficersundertakingAlco‐SensorFST®operator
traininginBritishColumbia.

Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
PROTECTEDA
Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual3of302018‐12‐18
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………….4
2.0 Identify Suspected Impaired Drivers…………………………………………………………………………….5
2.1 Initial Observations…………………………………………………………………………………………….5
2.2 Stopping Drivers………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
2.3 Recognizing Signs of Impairment……………………………………………………………………..5
2.4 Assessing Signs of Impairment………………………………………………………………………...5
2.5 Science of Breath Testing…………………………………………………………………………………..6
2.6 Theory of Fuel Cells…………………………………………………………………………………………….6
3.0 Lawfully administer the Alco-Sensor FST®…………………………………………………………………..7
3.1 Stopping the Subject…………………………………………………………………………………........7
3.2 Dealing with the Subject…………………………………………………………………………………….9
3.3 Failure or Refusal to Comply……………………………………………………………………………10
3.4 Mandatory Alcohol Screening…………………………………………………………………………..11
4.0 Operate the Alco-Sensor FST®……………………………………………………………………………………12
4.1 Operational Overview of the Alco-Sensor FST®…………………………………………….12
4.2 Theory and Design of the Alco-Sensor FST®…………………………………………………13
4.3 Storage, Handling and Transport……………………………………………………………………17
4.4 Operator Menu Functions…………………………………………………………………………………17
4.5 Confirming Subject Suitability…………………………………………………………………………19
4.6 Operating the Alco-Sensor FST®……………………………………………………………………19
5.0 Response to Subject Sample Results…………………………………………………………………………24
5.1 ASD Refusals……………………………………………………………………………………………………24
5.2 Fail Results……………………………………………………………………………………………………….25
5.3 Warn Results…………………………………………………………………………………………………….26
5.4 ASD Reading of 51-59 mg%..................................................................26
5.5 ASD Reading of 0-60 mg%....................................................................26
6.0 Trouble Shooting Issues………………………………………………………………………………………………26
7.0 ASD Policy and Precautions…………………………………………………………………………………………28
8.0 Additional Considerations…………………………………………………………………………………………….29
8.1 Alternate Reasons for Subject Impairment…………………………………………………….29
8.2 Articulation……………………………………………………………………………………………………….29
8.3 Bias Free Policing……………………………………………………………………………………………..30

Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
PROTECTEDA
Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual4of302018‐12‐18

1.0Introduction
ImpaireddrivingistheleadingcauseofcriminaldeathinCanada.1Thisisapreventabletragedy
andthekeytosuccessisensuringourresponsetoimpaireddrivingisswift,certainand
significant.
Thenatureofalcoholimpairmentpresentsseriouschallenges.Thefirstisthatindividualshave
awiderangeoftolerancetoalcoholanddetectingapersonwhoseabilitytooperateamotor
vehicleisimpairediseasiersaidthandone.Sincepoliceoftenhaveabriefobservationperiod
andlimitedinteractionwiththesubject,discoveringimpaireddriverscanbeverychallenging.
AstudyconductedinFloridademonstratedevenseniorandmotivatedofficersmissed2/3ofall
impaireddriversatacheckstopbecauseofthewiderangeoftolerancetoalcoholandbecause
officershaveonlyabriefobservationandlimitedinteractionwiththestoppeddrivers.
ThisiswhytheApprovedScreeningDevice(ASD)wascreated.TheASDgivespoliceascientific
andreliablemethodforquicklydetermining,withcertainty,whetheraperson’sbloodalcohol
concentration(BAC)meets‐or‐exceeds80milligramsofalcoholin100millilitresofblood(mg%).
TheuseofASDsinCanadaisgovernedbytheCriminalCode.Althoughthismanualdealswith
theAlco‐SensorFST®,thelawandpolicyarethesameforallASDs.
TheCriminalCodesetsthelegalparametersforbloodalcoholconcentrationaswellasmakingit
illegaltodrivewhileimpairedbyalcoholoradrug.Section320.14oftheCriminalCode
describesthe“who”,“what”,“where”and“how”oftheoffenseintheseterms:
320.14(1)Everyonecommitsanoffencewho
(a)operatesaconveyancewhiletheperson’sabilitytooperateitisimpairedtoany
degreebyalcoholoradrugorbyacombinationofalcoholandadrug;
(b)subjecttosubsection(5),has,withintwohoursafterceasingtooperatea
conveyance,abloodalcoholconcentrationthatisequaltoorexceeds80mgofalcohol
in100mLofblood;
Beforeanyscreeningdevicecanbeused,itmustbeapprovedbytheAttorneyGeneralof
CanadaforuseandappearintheApprovedScreeningDevicesOrder.TheAlco‐SensorFST®is
includedinthisorderandis,therefore,approvedforuse.Forcourtpurposes,theoperator
mustknowexactlywhichdeviceandmodelwasusedandshouldalwaysstatethatitwasan
“ApprovedScreeningDevice”.
TheAlco‐SensorFST®wasapprovedforuseasascreeningdevicein2012.ItisdistributedinCanada
byDAVTECHAnalyticalServicesandismanufacturedbyIntoximetersInc.ofSt.Louis,Missouri.
Uponsuccessfulcompletionofthiscourse,youwillbequalifiedtousethisASDtoinvestigate
impaireddrivingoffences.
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1source:http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85‐002‐x/2013001/article/11739‐eng.pdf

Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
PROTECTEDA
Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual5of302018‐12‐18

2.0IdentifySuspectedImpairedDrivers
2.1InitialObservation
Theinitialobservationofvehicularoperationbeginswhentheofficerfirstnoticesthevehicle
and/orthedriver.Iftheinitialobservationdisclosesvehiclemaneuversorhumanbehaviors
thatmaybeassociatedwithalcoholinfluence,theofficermaydevelopaninitialsuspicionof
impaireddriving.
2.2StoppingDrivers
Provincialand/orfederallegislationprovidepolicewiththeauthoritytostopavehicle.
2.3RecognizingSignsofImpairment
Oncethetrafficstophasbeeninitiated,theofficermustcloselyobservethedriver'sactionsand
vehiclemaneuversduringthestoppingsequence.Significantevidenceofalcoholinfluencemay
becomeapparentduringthevehiclestop.Driversimpairedbyalcoholand/orotherdrugsmay
respondinunexpectedanddangerousways.
2.4AssessingSignsofImpairment
Alcoholisacentralnervoussystemdepressantandassuch,slowsdowntheactivityofthebrain
andspinalcord.Impairmentreferstoadeteriorationofsensoryandmentalfunctionstosuch
anextentastomaketheoperationofamotorvehicleunsafe.Impaireddrivershavea
deteriorationofvisionandfinemotorco‐ordination,decreasedcomprehensionandjudgment,
lessenedattentivenessandadecreasedrateofinformationprocessing.Driverswhoare
impairedbyalcoholmaydisplaythefollowingdrivingbehaviours:aninabilitytonegotiate
curvesandturnssuccessfully;anincreaseinreactiontime;misjudgethedistancebetween
themselvesandothervehicles;disregardfortherulesoftheroad;increaseinrisktaking
behavior;anddifficultyinmaintaininglanepositionsandappropriatespeeds.
Itistheconsensusofthescientificcommunitythatallindividualsareimpairedintheirabilityto
operateamotorvehiclewithabloodalcoholconcentrationof100mg%.
Intoxicationisanadvancedstateofimpairmentinwhichtheoutwardphysicalsignsofthe
deterioratingeffectsofalcoholareapparent.Intoxicatedindividualsmayexhibitslurred
speech,lossofbalance,staggeredgait,emotionaldisturbancesandtearyoroveremotional
behaviour.
Tolerancereferstothebody’sabilitytowithstandorresisttheeffectsofalcohol,duetoprior
exposure.ThedegreeofintoxicationexhibitedbyanindividualatagivenBACwilldependon
theirleveloftolerancetoalcohol.Drinkersthathavegreatertolerancewillappearless
intoxicatedcomparedtoinexperienceddrinkersthathaveconsumedthesameamountof
alcohol.AnexperienceddrinkermayshownooutwardsignsofimpairmentwithaBACof100
mg%.However,theirabilitytosafelyoperateamotorvehiclewillstillbeimpaired.
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Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
PROTECTEDA
Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual6of302018‐12‐18

2.5ScienceofBreathTesting
Whenapersonconsumesanalcoholicbeverage,itpassesfromthemouthandesophagusto
thestomachandsmallintestine,whereitisabsorbedintothebloodstream.Theabsorptionof
alcoholisquiterapid,generallytaking20to30minutesafterconsumptiontoreachthe
maximumreading.Absorptiontimemaybeaffectedbythetypeandamountoffoodinthe
stomach,therateofalcoholconsumption,thetypeofbeverageconsumedaswellassome
drugs,diseaseandemotionalstates.Onceinthebloodstream,thealcoholisdistributedtoall
partsofthebodyincludingthelungs,brainandliver.Itisthedepressantactionofalcoholinthe
brainthatcausesimpairmentandintoxication.
Eliminationofalcoholbeginsimmediatelyafterithasenteredtheblood.Mostofthealcohol
(approximately95%)iseliminatedbymetabolismintheliver.Theremainder(approximately
5%)isexcretedunchangedthroughbreathandotherbodyfluids.Unlikeabsorption,the
eliminationprocessisslow.Theeliminationraterangesbetween10‐20mg%perhourformost
ofthepopulation.
Thebasisforallbreathtestequipmentisthatalcoholiseliminatedunchangedinthebreath.
Thereisafixedandknownrelationshipbetweentheamountofalcoholinthebreathandthe
amountofalcoholintheblood.Thisrelationship(essentiallytheprincipleofbreathtesting)is:
At34oC,2100partsofdeeplungaircontainsthesameamountofalcoholasone
partofblood.
Usingthisratio,itispossibletocollectameasuredvolumeofbreath,analyzeitforalcoholand
converttheresulttoabloodalcoholconcentration.Thisprincipleisusedinallbreathtest
instrumentsandscreeningdevicesoperatedinNorthAmerica,includingtheAlco‐SensorFST®.
Itshouldbenotedthatthisratioislowerthantheactualratio(2300:1)andsotheresults
obtainedthroughbreathtestingtendtounderestimatetheactualbloodalcoholconcentration.

2.6TheoryofFuelCells

TheAlco‐SensorFST®analyzestheamountofalcoholinasampleofbreathbymeansofafuelcell.
Afuelcellissimilartoabatteryexceptthatitrequiresafuel(likealcohol)tomakeitproducea
current.Thecurrentisproducedbyachemicalreactionthatoccurswhenalcoholcomesincontact
withthefuelcell:
Alcohol‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐>AceticAcid+Electrons‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐>CO2+O2+H2O
Thecurrentisproducedwhenelectronsaregeneratedintheabovereaction.Themorealcohol
thereisinabreathsample,themoreelectronsareproducedcausingastrongercurrentand
subsequently,ahigherreading.



Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
PROTECTEDA
Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual7of302018‐12‐18
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3.0LawfullyAdministertheAlco‐SensorFST®
3.1StoppingtheSubject
Policemaystopadrivertocheckthelicense,registration,insurance,mechanicalconditionof
thevehicle,ortocheckthesobrietyofthedriver.AnASDisanimportanttoolpolicecanuseto
helpevaluatedriversobriety.
InordertouseanASDlawfullyanofficermustcomplywithsection320.27oftheCriminalCode.
AnASDdemandmaybemadewhentheofficerhasreasonablegroundstosuspectthatthe
personhasalcoholintheirbodyandthepersonhasbeenoperatingaconveyancewithinthe
precedingthreehours.
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320.27(1)Ifapeaceofficerhasreasonablegroundsto
suspectthatapersonhasalcoholoradrugintheirbody
andthatthepersonhas,withintheprecedingthree
hours,operatedaconveyance,thepeaceofficermay,by
demand,requirethepersontocomplywiththerequirements
ofeitherorbothofparagraphs(a)and(b)inthe
caseofalcoholorwiththerequirementsofeitherorboth
ofparagraphs(a)and(c)inthecaseofadrug:
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(a)toimmediatelyperformthephysicalcoordination
testsprescribedbyregulationandtoaccompanythe
peaceofficerforthatpurpose;
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(b)toimmediatelyprovidethesamplesofbreaththat,
inthepeaceofficer’sopinion,arenecessarytoenablea
properanalysistobemadebymeansofanapproved
screeningdeviceandtoaccompanythepeaceofficer
forthatpurpose;
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(c)toimmediatelyprovidethesamplesofabodily
substancethat,inthepeaceofficer’sopinion,arenecessary
toenableaproperanalysistobemadeby
meansofapproveddrugscreeningequipmentandto
accompanythepeaceofficerforthatpurpose.
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Reasonablesuspicionmaybeformedwhen:anofficersmellsalcoholcomingfromthesubject’s
breath,thesubjectadmitstorecentalcoholconsumption,awitnessobservesthesubject

Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
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Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual8of302018‐12‐18
consumingalcohol,anofficerobservessubjectconsumingalcohol,oranyothercombinationof
factorswhichreasonablysupportthesuspicion.
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AnASDshouldnotbeusediftheofficeralreadyhasformedtheopinionthatthesubject's
abilitytodriveisimpairedbyalcohol.
Do not confuse the grounds for the ASD demand with the grounds for an
evidentiary breath demand.
320.28(1)Ifapeaceofficerhasreasonablegroundsto
believethatapersonhasoperatedaconveyancewhile
theperson’sabilitytooperateitwasimpairedtoanydegree
byalcoholorhascommittedanoffenceunderparagraph
320.14(1)(b),thepeaceofficermay,bydemand
madeassoonaspracticable,
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(a)requirethepersontoprovide,assoonaspracticable,
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(i)thesamplesofbreaththat,inaqualifiedtechnician’s
opinion,arenecessarytoenableaproper
analysistobemadebymeansofanapprovedinstrument,
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or
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(ii)ifthepeaceofficerhasreasonablegroundsto
believethat,becauseoftheirphysicalcondition,the
personmaybeincapableofprovidingasampleof
breathoritwouldbeimpracticabletotakeone,the
samplesofbloodthat,intheopinionofthequalified
medicalpractitionerorqualifiedtechnician
takingthesamples,arenecessarytoenableaproper
analysistobemadetodeterminetheperson’s
bloodalcoholconcentration;and
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(b)requirethepersontoaccompanythepeaceofficer
forthepurposeoftakingsamplesofthatperson’s
breathorblood.
Reasonable grounds for impairment are a much higher standard than a
suspicion of alcohol in the body, and are generally formed with observations of
intoxication (slurred speech, poor balance, staggering gait, confusion,
disorientation, etc.) or of poor driving (excessively slow, fast or variable speeds,
wide or narrow turns, weaving within and outside of the lane of travel, driving
errors, etc.).
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Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
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Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual9of302018‐12‐18
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3.2DealingwiththeSubject
Section320.27(1)(b)oftheCriminalCodegivesthepeaceofficertheauthoritytodemanda
breathsampleforanalysisbyanASDonreasonablegroundstosuspectthatapersonhas
alcoholintheirbodyandthatthepersonhas,withintheprecedingthreehours,operateda
conveyance.
Section320.27alsograntstheofficerthepowertodetainandaskthesubjecttoaccompany
him/herforthepurposesofadministeringthetest.Thisauthorizestheofficertoremovethe
accusedfromthevehicleormoveashortdistance,ifrequiredfortestingorsafetyreasons.
Timingiscriticalandtheofficermustmakethedemandpromptlyandadministerthetest
withoutanyavoidabledelay.Failuretoexpeditethetestsorexplaindelayswilloftenleadtoa
Charterbreach.AnydelayinperformingtheASDtestmustbeexplainedtothesubject.Ifa
demandismadebutthearrivaloftheASDisdelayedarighttocounselmayariseandthedriver
shouldbeinformedofthisrightandgivenareasonableopportunitytoexercisethisright.A
generalthresholdforthistimeframeisfifteenminutes,butsituationalfactorsmayfurther
impactit.
ASDdemandsmustbemade"immediately"andwithoutanydelay.Assoonasanofficerhas
reasonablegroundstosuspectalcoholbeingpresentinthesubject'sbody,theofficermust
readtheASDdemandverbatimassoonaspracticable.
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ApprovedScreeningDevice(ASD)DEMAND
(SuspicionofAlcoholinBody)320.27(1)(b)
Ihavereasonablegroundstosuspectthatyouhave,withintheprecedingthreehours,operatedaconveyance
(namely(pickone)amotorvehicle,avessel,anaircraftorrailwayequipment)withalcoholinyourbody.In
accordancewiththeprovisionsoftheCriminalCode,Iherebydemandthatyouprovideasampleofyourbreath,
immediately,suitableforanalysisusinganapprovedscreeningdeviceandtoaccompanymeforthepurposeof
enablingsuchsamplestobetaken.Doyouunderstand?
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ThereisnorighttocounselpriortoprovidingabreathsampleintoanASD.Compliancewithan
ASDdemandisconsideredadetention.However,ithasbeendeemedareasonabledetention
intheinterestofpublicsafety.Thetestistobeconductedassoonaspracticableandany
delaysmustbeexplainedtothesubject.
ThefullandpropernameoftheASDyouareusing(Alco‐SensorFST®)aswellastheserial
numberofthedeviceshouldberecordedinyournotes.
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Alco‐SensorFST® Operator’s Manual
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Alco‐SensorFST®Operator’sManual10of302018‐12‐18
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3.3FailureorRefusaltoComply
Section320.15oftheCriminalCodeappliestothefailureorrefusaltocomplywithademand
foranASDtest,approvedinstrumenttestorbloodsample.Eachrefusalcaseisunique.The
offenceiscompleteandthesubjectmaybechargedwithrefusalwhen:
Theofficerhasproperlyandfullyexplainedthedemand,and
Thesubjecthasbeengivenareasonableopportunitytocomply,and
Theofficerhasreceivedanunequivocalrefusal(bystatementorconduct),or
Thesubjectfailstoprovideasuitablesampleandtheofficerisoftheopiniontheyare
capableofdoingso.
IfasubjectrefusestheAlco‐SensorFST®byfailuretoprovideasample,theyshouldbecharged
withrefusal.Insuchacase,itiscriticalthattheofficerdocumentwhytheyfeltthesubjectwas
refusing.Forexample,iftheystartblowingandthenstop,iftheycontinuallytaketheirlipsoff
themouthpiece,iftheystartblowingoutthesideoftheirmouth,oriftheyputtheirmouthon
themouthpiecebutdon’tblowanybreathoutoftheirmouth.Alloftheseobservationsareto
bedocumentedintheofficer’snotesasthesubject’sactionsconstitutetherefusal.Itmaybe
necessarytodemonstratetothesubjecthowtoprovideapropersampleintotheASDandask
thesubjectiftheyunderstand.Theofficermayhavetoexplaintothesubjectseveraltimesand
indifferentwaysonhowtoprovideapropersample.Ifasubjectischargedwithrefusalby
failuretocomply,themouthpieceistobecheckedtoensuretherearenoblockagesor
obstructionspreventingbreathfromflowingthroughit.Themouthpieceistoberetainedas
evidence.Theofficershouldalsoprovideasampleintothedevicetodemonstratethatthe
deviceiscapableofacceptingasample.
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