The RCMP National Breath Test Program (NBTP) has recently modified the delivery of the Breath Test Training Course to a blended learning format. Effective Spring 2007, candidates seeking designation as Qualified Technicians will be trained via a two-part program incorporating both online and classroom sessions. Part I is the mandatory online Breath Test Pre-Course Training; Part II is the classroom component. This new delivery model will decrease classroom-training time by approximately two to three days. This initiative is seen as an important step in achieving standardization of Breath Test training.

The Breath Test Pre-Course Training consists of eight modules:

• Principles of Measurement
• Roles of a Qualified Technician
• Principles of Breath Testing
• Accessories
• Instrument Overview
• Interpreting Breath Test Results
• Distinguishing the Impairing Effects of Alcohol
• Submission of Exhibits

For Trainers: Please refer to the Breath Test Training Course Guide (829 kb, pdf) for additional information on this blended learning program.

For Registered Candidates: Please refer to the Breath Test Training Course Candidate Guide (841 kb, pdf) for additional information on this blended learning program.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain units of measurements, conversion rules and basic arithmetic calculations as it relates to breath
testing and expressing blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels
• Describe the principles of breath testing, legal protocol and scientific principles that govern breathtesting
• Explain how to define an impaired driver
• Describe the breath testing tool that you will use, its operating procedures and its components
• Explain accessory equipment utilized in analysing breath test samples
• Explain the basics of alcohol and how it reacts in the body
• Explain how to interpret breath test results and how to distinguish the effects of alcohol
• Explain the correct procedure for obtaining blood samples either by demand or warrant
• Describe the protocol to submit exhibits of evidence to the Forensic Laboratory Services
• Describe the role of the Qualified Technician in ensuring an efficient and effective breath test program
• Describe the role played by the Alcohol Test Committee in relation to the Breath Test Program

Candidate Pre-requisites

The Breath Test Program is designed to train Canadian peace officers and candidates for this program are registered by their Police Service to attend a scheduled Program offering which includes both online and classroom components.

The online component is a mandatory component of the overall training and must be successfully completed prior to attending the classroom training.

For more information about scheduled Program offerings of the Breath Test Program, please contact your Regional Forensic Science and Identification Services laboratory or:

Randy Prokopanko
National Breath Test Program Coordinator
Tel: 1-204-983-7363
Email: randy.prokopanko@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Certification

On successful completion of both Part I and II, the candidate will be recommended for designation, by the Attorney General (or its counterpart), as a Qualified Technician under Section 254(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Subject Matter Expert

E.A. (Liz) Dittmar has a Master of Science Degree (Human Physiology) and has spent more than 25 years as a civilian member of the RCMP Forensic Science and Identification Services, developing her expertise in the area of Alcohol and Breath Testing. She presently provides training on the BAC Datamaster C/Intoxilyzer 5000C and in the past, training on Breathalyzer® Models 900 and 900A.

Ms. Dittmar is regularly summoned by the courts to provide her expertise regarding the suitability of biological samples, breath samples, Breath Testing Protocol, analytical procedures for bodily fluids and breath samples, both retrograde extrapolations and forward calculations based upon drinking history as well as the effects of alcohol on a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Ms. Dittmar is a member of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science and the Alcohol Countermeasures Traffic Enforcement Committee (ACTEF) for Nova Scotia. She has delivered numerous seminars and training sessions to organizations and groups such as Nova Scotia Provincial Judges, Nova Scotia Drug Dependency, Nova Scotia Crown Prosecutors, Atlantic Police Academy and various police services.

Course Details

Content Provider: RCMP - Forensic Science and Identification Services
Course Type: Blended
Price (Part I): $200.00 + GST
Languages: English
Course Duration: 10-14 hours
Release Date: April 2007
Date of Last Revision/Revision: March 2008