IMPORTANT NOTICE on January 13, 2008:

Indiana Administrative Code 260 is revised

A revised administrative code has been approved, being effective on January 2, 2008.

The document can be viewed by clicking on Policy & Forms, to the left of this screen, then clicking on IAC 260.

The primary changes are:

   1.   A revision of the Breath Test Officer Recertification section to allow for verifying the demonstration of ability to perform a breath test by using documented tests performed over the time prior to recertification. This will make regional recertification, or on-line recertification feasible.

   2.   Revision of the approved Method to allow the use of external printers on the BAC DataMasters. At this time, there are no external printers installed, but this will be an option if needed.

Other changes include a definitions section, and clarification of some aspects of certification, instrument location, and step 7 of the Approved Method.

The updated Approved Method is also included on the website. Just click on Breath Test Program on the left of this screen, then click on Approved Method.

Note that there are no changes in how the breath test is performed, compared to the previous version, until an external printer is installed on an instrument. At that time it will be possible to use plain paper to print the results of a breath test. There will be an announcement at the time of installation about where such printers have been installed.

The revised Approved Method will be sent to all agencies as soon as possible.

Either of these documents can be downloaded at any time.

SAMPLE SUBMISSION:

Samples may be submitted by regular mail, registered mail, or by individual delivery.

Samples brought to our lab by individuals need to be delivered to the Loading Dock, located on the East side of the building. Deliveries are accepted by lab personnel from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on normal work days (Monday through Friday, excluding scheduled holidays). Any samples delivered after 4:00 will be placed into the secure Toxicology mail box. Documentation of receipt for those samples will be mailed to the submitter the morning of the following work day.

Welcome! 

     The Indiana State Department of Toxicology provides scientific evidence  analysis for the impaired and dangerous driving program and other criminal justice efforts for the State of Indiana. The Department of Toxicology certifies and inspects all BAC Datamasters, as well, as certifying every breath test operator in the Indiana. The Department also conducts drug and alcohol screening and confirmatory tests for the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in criminal and other cases. 

Mission: 

     To promote the administration of justice by providing cutting edge science, research and education in forensic toxicology to the State of Indiana.

History of Indiana's Drunk Driving Laws:

1939:  Indiana becomes the first state to enact a law setting a blood-alcohol level for drunk driving. (% 0.15 BAC).

1967: Indiana reduces the legal BAC to 0.10 and requires blood-alcohol tests.

1989: Judges are allowed to order ignition interlock devices on vehicles of convicted drunken drivers. The devices require an instant breath test before the vehicle will start.

1990: Bills to ban open alcoholic beverage containers in vehicles and to lower the legal blood-alcohol level for drunken driving to 0.08 are introduced but not approved. 

1994: Open containers in the passenger area are made illegal if the driver has a blood-alcohol level of 0.0 or higher. Drivers are banned from drinking while driving.

1996: "Zero tolerance" is established for drivers younger than 21, making it illegal to drive with even a small amount of alcohol in the blood.

1997: Consecutive sentences are allowed for drunken drivers who kill more than one person in a crash.

1999: Indiana requires at least a five-day jail term or 30 days of community service for a second-time drunken-driving offender and at least 10 days in jail or 60 days of community service for a third-time drunken driver. An enhance penalty is created fro someone with a BAC of 0.15 or higher.

2001: Law changed to lower the BAC for drunken driving to 0.10 to 0.08.

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