Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 1500138
Date Issued: Dec 17, 2015 - 2:30pm

Recognized for quality: International Accreditation awarded to Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Division's Breath Alcohol Section

CONTACT: Bob Harmon
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-785-6235
Cell 775-722-5517

The Breath Alcohol Section may not be as well-known as some of the other sections of the Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Division, but their work is just as important.

The Section is responsible for calibrating and maintaining Evidential Breath-Testing Devices (EBTs) used by all state and local law enforcement agencies in 13 northern Nevada counties. Their work must be of the highest quality in order to ensure the credibility of these essential public safety devices.

That quality was recognized when the section received its Certificate of International Accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board during a presentation at the Sheriff's Office earlier today.

"The role of forensic science in public safety continues to grow, making it essential that our clients, and the public, are confident that our work meets the highest standards possible," Washoe County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Division Director Kerri Heward said. "We could not have achieved this level of accreditation if we did not work with the highest quality procedures, equipment, material and people."

In addition to EBT calibration and maintenance, the Breath Alcohol Section is also responsible for other aspects of Nevada's Breath Alcohol Program, including preparation of aqueous solutions of ethanol, verification of gas standards, and the training and certification of breath testing operators. Analysts in the Breath Alcohol Section also testify to the calibration of the instruments, preparation or verification of standards used with the instruments, training and certifications of the breath testing officers, basic operations of the instruments, effects of alcohol in relation to completed breath tests, and the validity of the instrument operation during breath tests.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Division is a full-service forensic laboratory providing services to over 80 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in 13 Nevada counties. In addition to the Breath Alcohol Section, the Division provides investigative support with a full service crime scene unit and scientific disciplines such as Crime Scene, DNA, Toxicology, Controlled Substances, Firearms, and an Evidence Section for the secure housing of evidence. For more information, visit washoesheriff.com.

Photo 1: Members of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Division's Breath Alcohol Section with Forensic Science Division Director Kerri Heward (third from right), Sheriff Chuck Allen, the Certificate of Accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board, and an Intoxilyzer 8000 (Evidential Breath-Testing Device).

Photo 2: Certificate of Accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board

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The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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