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Other causes of failed PEth test for alcohol abuse?

Mental Health | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (447)

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@pethmadness

And as alluded to in my other comments - the issues my family member had problems also ONLY at Forensic DNA & Testing in Dallas. I also do not believe it is based on wipe but we made them stop using it with the fingerprick tests. I am more concerned about the integrity of The FDNA testing protocol if not the collection facility as a whole... especially after finding Fairlane on here experiencing similar issues at the same place.

With regards to the grey top tube vs the tan top tubes (for the blood drawn tests)... I did some research into that as well. I do not remember all the specifics without going back through my notes but one of them is supposed to prevent the formation of alcohol in the tube itself after it is collected and waiting for testing. Some of the papers discuss this as a possible issue with PETH false positives for the blood drawn test. In our experience we received no false positives with the blood-drawn tests and were taking them same day as a failed fingerprick test. Our only failures were with the USDTL-based tests using the cards and drops used at FDNA despite passing blood-tests same day. We never had issues with the blood drawn tests at Request-a-Test using LabCorp as the backend. I do not believe Fairlane ever did the blood-draw method you are talking about - but he was getting in-consistent results with the USDTL tests given at a different facility same day.

My personal belief is the PETH as a whole - has false positives. If you can afford it and the results of the tests matter to you (which I am betting is the case for almost anyone taking this tests as they are being forced to for some reason) - I strongly recommend you take the test at two facilities the same day. Towards the end of our nightmare with these results we were doing 3 tests - one blood drawn, one at FDNA, and one at another lab using USDTL.

If you do the multiple tests (anywhere) and get in-consistent results please contact me and let me know your experiences. If you are having problems with the PETH tests at Forensic DNA in Dallas I would also been keenly interested in talking.

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Replies to "And as alluded to in my other comments - the issues my family member had problems..."

I am in Atlanta, Ga. I have had 3 false positive tests. I have had to do hair follicle and nail tests to prove that I haven't had any alcohol consumption.
In 2 of the 3 times, I had just finished working 4 days in a row. At my job site, we use hand sanitizer ALL the time.
The last result was 30ng/ml. I had used Orange essential oil on my wrists.
This test is not accurate. It's sensitivity is ridiculous.
I frankly detest the USDTL. I hate the finger stick test.