To Assess the Reliability of Electronic Breathalyzer and QED (Quantitative Ethanol Detector) Test Kit as a Supportive Testing Method for Examination of Drunkenness

Background: Ethanol is a common drug of abuse which leads to various medicolegal issues in Sri Lanka. It is clinically assessed currently and needs a supportive testing method during examination. Methods: An electronic breathalyzer and quantitative ethanol detector test kit were used as testing methods. The electronic breathalyzer was used to blow into the mouthpiece to get a value. The quantitative ethanol detector test kit was used by soaking the cotton bulb end with saliva within the mouth, and then inserting it into the device to get a value. Results: 112 cases were analysed using QED and breathalyser. 46 Cases were analysed using GC-MS. Analysis of QED with GC-MS was done using Chi-square tests and symmetric measures. P value error of QED with GC-MS was 0.024. Analysis of breathalyzer with GC-MS was done using Chis-quare tests and symmetric measures. P value error of breathalyser with GC-MS was 0.009. Other variables were calculated as a percentage. Conclusion: The breathalyzer and QED test results correlated with Gas Chromatography, with a p-value error of ＜0.05 confirming their reliability in assessing drunkenness. However, the breathalyzer test showed a lower p-value error compared to the QED test, indicating better precision. Additionally, history, clinical tests, and Gas Chromatography results correlated more strongly with the breathalyzer test than with the QED saliva test. Therefore, the breathalyzer test is superior to the QED saliva test for assessing drunkenness.