What is a potential problem that can affect breath test results?

Residual mouth alcohol is a crucial factor that can significantly impact breath test results. After consuming alcoholic beverages, traces of alcohol can remain in the mouth for a period, especially if the individual has not waited long enough before taking the breath test. This residual alcohol can evaporate and be inhaled during the breath sample collection, leading to artificially high readings. Because breath tests measure the amount of alcohol vapor in the breath, the presence of even small amounts of residual alcohol can skew the results and suggest a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) than actually present in the bloodstream.

In contrast, while external noise interference and the type of breath test device may have some influence on the testing process, they do not directly impact the chemical analysis of the breath sample itself. Similarly, an officer’s tiredness might affect their performance during a roadside stop or field sobriety tests, but it does not directly influence the actual test results from the breathalyzer device. Therefore, understanding the role of residual mouth alcohol is crucial for both accurate breath testing and for challenges to test results in legal contexts.