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DUI Metrology Dictionary

duidictionary.com

This glossary of words, phrases, and acronyms was designed post Bill C-46 to assist lawyers and judges in using terminology applicable to Criminal Code of Canada section 320 DUI litigation. Lawyers and judges should become familiar with all of these terms.

Accessory Equipment
Accuracy
Air blank (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Alcohol Test Committee
Alcohol standard
Alcohol standard log
Ambient Fail
Ambient threshold/ambient fail threshold (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Approved instrument (in the context of 320.31)
Approved type
BIPM
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
CGPM
COBRA data
Calibration
Calibration Interval
Calibration check (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Calibration curve (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Certificate of Calibration
Certificate of the Analyst
Certificate of the Qualified Technician
Conditions precedent/presumption/conclusive proof (in the context of 320.31)
Continuity (in the context of the actions of the qualified technicians)
Contradiction of the instrument's result (defence)
Contradiction of the truth (defence)
Control test (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Diagnostics fail (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Diagnostics test (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Differential Voltage Monitoring (DVM)
Disappearing alcohol
Drift
Dry gas/air gas
Esc Esc sequences (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Evidence tending to show (defence)
Evidence to the contrary (defence)
Floating zero (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Flow monitor (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
GUM
Henry's Law
Identity (in the context of the alcohol standard)
Independent service provider (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Indication
Infrared spectroscopy
Inspection by sampling
Instrument malfunction (defence)
Instrument of a kind, Instrument d'un type approuve
Interferent (in the context of the Intoxilyzer 8000C)
Interferent (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Internal standard (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Intoxilyzer 5000/5000C
Intoxilyzer 8000C
Linearity
Maintenance/service log (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Manometer
Maximum permissible error
Measurement
Measurement Standard
Measurement Uncertainty
Measuring interval
Metrological Control : Legal metrological control
Metrological authority
Metrological supervision
OIML
Operating Procedures (SOP)
Operator error (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Precision (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Purge fail
Qualified technician
Qualitative (result)
Quantitative (result)
Radio frequency interference threshold (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Reference check (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Reliability (general principle)
SI Units
Screening device
Screening device
Seal: Sealing
Self/subject breath test (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Standard deviation
Test Record
Traceability (in the context of measurement results)
Transparency
Type Approval
Uncertainty growth
Uncertainty of measurement
VIM
VIML
Verification by sampling
Verification certificate
Verification of a measuring instrument
Verification: Initial verification
Verification: Verification After Repair
Verification: mandatory periodic verification
Verification: subsequent verification
Wet bath simulator (in the context of the Intoxilyzer)
Wet bath simulator digital thermometer
Wet bath simulator mercury thermometer
Wet bath simulator thermometer RS232 interface

Useful Links at this Site:

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Essential Terminology for a Defence Lawyer to Learn Before Conducting a Cross-examination of an Expert

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Learning to Use the International Vocabulary of Measurement Science Before Conducting a Cross-examination of an Expert

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Essential DUIMetrology Concepts:

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Calibration Interval and Mandatory Periodic Recalibration / Mandatory Periodic Verification

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Traceability of a Measurement Result

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What is Metrology?

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If you are a member of the public, please don't attempt to use what you see or read at this site in Court. It is not evidence. The author is not a scientist. The author has a great deal of experience in cross-examining scientists about these issues, but the author is not a scientist. Hire a criminal lawyer in private practice in Ontario. Your lawyer can retain an expert. The author is a retired lawyer, not a lawyer in private practice. Read the statement of the purpose of this web site below.

© 2025 Allbiss Lawdata Ltd.

This site has been built by Allbiss Lawdata Ltd. All rights reserved. This is not a government web site.

For more information respecting this database or to report misuse contact: Allbiss Lawdata Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, 905-273-3322. The author and the participants make no representation or warranty  whatsoever as to the authenticity and reliability of the information contained herein.  WARNING: All information contained herein is provided  for the purpose of discussion and peer review only and should not be construed as formal legal advice. The authors disclaim any and all liability resulting from reliance upon such information. You are strongly encouraged to seek professional legal advice before relying upon any of the information contained herein. Legal advice should be sought directly from a properly retained lawyer or attorney. 

WARNING: Please do not attempt to use any text, image, or video that you see on this site in Court. These comments, images, and videos are NOT EVIDENCE. The Courts will need to hear evidence from a properly qualified expert. The author is not a scientist. The author is not an expert. These pages exist to promote discussion among defence lawyers.

Intoxilyzer®  is a registered trademark of CMI, Inc. The Intoxilyzer® 5000C is an "approved instrument" in Canada.

Breathalyzer® is a registered trademark of Draeger Safety, Inc., Breathalyzer Division. The owner of the trademark is Robert F. Borkenstein and Draeger Safety, Inc. has leased the exclusive rights of use from him. The Breathalyzer® 900 and Breathalyzer® 900A were "approved instruments" in Canada.

Alcotest® is a registered trademark of Draeger Safety, Inc. The Alcotest® 7410 GLC and 6810 are each an "approved screening device" in Canada.

Datamaster®  is a registered trademark of National Patent Analytical Systems, Inc.  The BAC Datamaster® C  is an "approved instrument" in Canada.

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