ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has ordered an immediate statewide inspection of all DataMaster (DMT) breath-testing instruments following the discovery of multiple data entry errors involving dry gas cylinder information.
The BCA on Friday directed law enforcement agencies to verify that gas cylinder data is correctly entered into every DMT unit currently in use. Until the review is complete, all DMT testing is suspended.
The agency said future gas cylinder replacements and maintenance will now be handled exclusively by BCA personnel to reduce the risk of human error. “The BCA is committed to the highest level of quality in our forensics lab,” said Superintendent Drew Evans. “We appreciate our law enforcement partners’ prompt attention to this inspection process.”
Each DMT device uses a dry gas cylinder with a known alcohol concentration to ensure testing accuracy. The BCA recently identified incorrect data entries in DMT units located in Aitkin, Winona, Chippewa, Olmsted, and Hennepin counties. The latest findings could affect about 108 cases in Olmsted County and 38 in Hennepin County.
The BCA said it will continue working with local law enforcement agencies to ensure the accuracy and reliability of all breath tests used in impaired driving enforcement across Minnesota.
