Blood Alcohol Discrepancies

[elanfan]

In the Daily Express today are some transcripts of the Diana inquest (yawn and thrice yawn!) however it transpires that one of the experts on the stand giving evidence about blood alcohol levels in the case of the diver Henri Paul states there can be a 15% discrepancy in readings depending from where the blood was taken (they took it from the body cavity, an eye and a thigh vein)henri Pauls readings were almost all exactly the same yet the expert claims the odds on this are 10,000 to one.

Frankly I don't really give a toss about Mr Paul, Diana et al but what I find interesting is this 15% difference in readings - surely this would have some sort of implication for Drink Drive readings. 15% could put you over when under and under when over - sounds a bit dodgy!



BTW I never drink and drive in fact I virtually don't drink at all and I say anyone who drink or drug drives deserves all they get

[GreigM]

elanfan said:

15% could put you over when under and under when over - sounds a bit dodgy!

I believe it only works in one direction, i.e. can make you seem under when you are over.

[Sheepy]

I read an article by one of the expert witnesses, from what I remember, he seemed to be saying that because of the impact damage to Henri Paul, the chest-cavity blood would have been contaminated by the stomach contents. If HP had been drinking (even a small amount) just prior to driving, then this could might for the seemingly high level of alcohol in the blood being tested. He then talked about how he highlighted this to the French autopsy folks who seemed rather embaressed about making such a mistake. When the official report came out it stated blood was taken from three souces in HP's body and that each showed the same level of alcohol. His comment that that this was extremely unlikely to be possible.

What I don't get about this is, what is the point of the inquest? She's still dead! Regardless of whether HP was drunk or not, he totalled the car and most of the occupants against a piller more than ten years ago. What possible outcome can there be from this other than that she's still dead?

[streaky]

Sheepy said:

What I don't get about this is, what is the point of the inquest? She's still dead! Regardless of whether HP was drunk or not, he totalled the car and most of the occupants against a piller more than ten years ago. What possible outcome can there be from this other than that she's still dead?

The inquest is a legal requirement. The evidence being adduced is, however, mostly for titillation.

Mohamed Fayed (he's not entitled to the "Al-&quot will not be satisfied with any verdict other than: "Murder by person or persons unknown" (aimed at "the Establishment&quot.

I hope for a verdict of "unlawful killing" against Henri Paul ('dangerous driving or careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs - causing the death of the deceased'), but expect one of "misadventure" - which would imply that Henri Paul and/or others, including both Dodi and Mohamed Fayed, were in some way responsible.

Streaky