BCA halts DMT breath tests after data errors; 146 cases flagged in 5 counties including Hennepin
Following discovery of operator data-entry errors for dry gas cylinders, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has ordered inspections and halted use of DMT breath-testing instruments, flagging at least 146 cases across Hennepin, Olmsted, Aitkin, Winona and Chippewa counties. Aitkin County prosecutors withdrew a DWI case Oct. 2, defense attorney Chuck Ramsay — who raised the issue — urged defendants not to plead until the review is complete, and the BCA says it will move device maintenance in-house rather than rely on trained agency technicians statewide.
Public Safety
Legal
📌 Key Facts
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has halted DMT/breathalyzer breath tests after discovering data-entry errors that produced unreliable results.
- At least 146 cases have been flagged as impacted; the BCA said operator data-entry errors for dry gas cylinders caused unreliable results in more than 100 cases.
- Affected counties identified so far are Hennepin, Olmsted, Aitkin, Winona and Chippewa.
- Aitkin County prosecutors withdrew a DWI case on Oct. 2 because the device’s results could not be relied upon.
- Defense attorney Chuck Ramsay — who flagged the issue — urged defendants not to plead guilty until the BCA review is resolved and noted the devices have been in service for about 13 years.
- The BCA says it will shift device maintenance to its own technicians going forward; previously maintenance was performed by trained agency technicians statewide.
📚 Contextual Background
- Minnesota law classifies investigative data collected or created by a law enforcement agency to prepare a case as confidential or protected nonpublic while the investigation is active.
📰 Sources (2)
Minnesota BCA halts breathalyzer tests: Attorney who flagged issue weighs in
New information:
- At least 146 cases are impacted by unreliable breath-test results tied to data errors.
- Affected counties now identified: Hennepin, Olmsted, Aitkin, Winona, and Chippewa.
- BCA says operator data-entry errors for dry gas cylinders caused unreliable results in more than 100 cases.
- Aitkin County prosecutors withdrew a DWI case on Oct. 2 because the device’s results could not be relied upon.
- Defense attorney Chuck Ramsay, who flagged the issue, cautioned defendants not to plead guilty until the review is resolved and noted the devices have been in service for about 13 years.
- BCA will have its own technicians handle device maintenance going forward (previously done by trained agency technicians statewide).