Development of a Fully Automated Blood Alcohol Analyzer and Its Application in Forensic Science

doi:10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2026.360401

Abstract

Abstract:

Blood alcohol concentration detection has long relied on manual operations in the field of forensic identification, resulting in cumbersome workflows, low throughput, and substantial human error. Such drawbacks make it increasingly difficult to meet the growing demands for case-handling efficiency and evidentiary quality. To address these issues, this study presents a fully automatic blood alcohol analyzer （Puyu LSAP AI）, developed in-house by integrating precision mechanical actuation, pneumatic flow-limited pipetting, and intelligent task scheduling technologies, which automates and reengineers the conventional workflow to establish a fully automated protocol for blood alcohol concentration detection. In accordance with the latest national standard, the system demonstrated excellent linearity over the mass concentration range of 0.10-3.00 mg/mL, with correlation coefficients r≥0.997. The limit of detection （LOD） and limit of quantification （LOQ） were 0.05 mg/mL and 0.10 mg/mL, respectively. Parallel analyses of 20 whole-blood samples with varying viscosities yielded relative deviations consistently ranging from 1% to 5%, while relative standard deviations from repeatability tests were below 2.5% （n=6）. No carryover contamination was observed during alternating injections of high-concentration samples （5 mg/mL） and blank specimens, and continuous high-throughput operation for 24 h was completed without mechanical or communication malfunctions. This analyzer has been deployed for routine forensic blood alcohol concentration detection, achieving fully automated, unattended, closed-loop operation throughout the entire analytical workflow. Its core technical components have been domestically developed, while the software and hardware architectures have been comprehensively decoupled to improve modularity and maintainability. The system meets national standards for precision, accuracy, and full-process digital compliance. It significantly improves the case-handling efficiency and evidentiary quality, offering technical support and a practical application paradigm for the intelligent and automated transformation of forensic science instrumentation.

Key words: forensic medicine, technology transfer, blood alcohol concentration analysis, headspace gas chromatography, laboratory automation

CLC Number:

Lei TANG, Weihong XIE, Chengfei ZHUO, Chen XU, Huanhuan YAO, Xiaofei LI, Jianwei ZHANG, Yang LI, Jianbo YING. Development of a Fully Automated Blood Alcohol Analyzer and Its Application in Forensic Science[J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2026, 42(3): 232-239.

Add to citation manager EndNote|Ris|BibTeX

URL: http://www.fyxzz.cn/EN/10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2026.360401

http://www.fyxzz.cn/EN/Y2026/V42/I3/232

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 1 Design of the three-axis structure

Fig. 2 Automated capping and decapping module for blood collection tubes

Tab. 1 Performance verification of the fully automated blood alcohol analyzer

标准与设备	线性相关系数/r	检出限/（mg·mL^-1）	定量限/（mg·mL^-1）	定性保留时间误差/%
GB/T 42430—2023	≥0.997	0.05	0.10	≤1
全自动血液中乙醇分析仪	满足要求	0.05	0.10	满足要求

Fig. 3 Software interface of the fully automated blood alcohol analysis system

References 16

[1]	王敏远. “醉驾”型危险驾驶罪综合治理的实证研究——以浙江省司法实践为研究样本[J]. 法学， 2020（3）：109-123.
	WANG M Y. Empirical research on comprehensive regulation against crime of dangerous driving in the form of “drunk driving”： Using judicial practice of Zhejiang Province as research sample[J]. Faxue，2020（3）：109-123.
[2]	花锋. 我国法庭科学实验室管理中的问题与对策[J].刑事技术，2013，38（1）：13-18.
	doi：10.3969/j.issn.1008-3650.2013.01.004.HUA F. The management of forensic science laboratories[J]. Xingshi Jishu，2013，38（1）：13-18.
[3]	吴一戎，刘朔. 信息技术赋能智慧司法的关键技术预见与政策建议[J]. 中国科学院院刊，2025，40（10）：1663-1673.
	doi：10.3724/j.issn.1000-3045.20250619003.WU Y R， LIU S. Key technology foresight and policy recommendation for information technology enabling smart justice[J]. Zhongguo Kexueyuan Yuankan，2025，40（10）：1663-1673.
[4]	TISCIONE N B， ALFORD I， YEATMAN D T， et al. Ethanol analysis by headspace gas chromato‑ graphy with simultaneous flame-ionization and mass spectrometry detection[J]. J Anal Toxicol，2011，35（7）：501-511. doi：10.1093/anatox/35.7.501 .
[5]	MONTEIRO C， PROENÇA P， TAVARES C， et al. Interference of anesthetics in blood alcohol analysis by HS-GC-FID： A case report[J]. Forensic Sci Int，2016，265：65-69. doi：10.1016/j.forsciint. 2016.01.010 .
[6]	蔡自兴，谢斌. 机器人学[M].4版.北京：清华大学出版社，2022：60-95，138-155.
	CAI Z X， XIE B. Robotics[M]. 4th ed. Beijing： Tsinghua University Press，2022：60-95，138-155.
[7]	凌振宝，宋诚，欧馨雅，等. 基于近红外光谱法的血液酒精浓度检测仪[J].吉林大学学报（信息科学版），2024，42（4）：767-773.
	doi：10.19292/j.cnki.jdxxp.20 240201.007.LING Z B， SONG C， OU X Y， et al. Alcohol concentration detector based on near infrared spectroscopy[J]. Jilin Daxue Xuebao （Xinxi Kexue Ban），2024，42（4）：767-773.
[8]	仲靖芳，于常州，蔡红星. 不同血液成分对顶空法测定乙醇浓度的影响[J].徐州医学院学报，2010（8）：530-531.
	doi：10.3969/j.issn.1000-2065.2010.08.012.ZHONG J F， YU C Z， CAI H X. Effect of different blood components on determination of ethanol concentration by headspace gas chromatography[J]. Xuzhou Yixueyuan Xuebao，2010（8）：530-531.
[9]	田琳琳，沈磊，薛锦锋，等. 血液中乙醇检验全自动体系的建立[J].法医学杂志，2017，33（1）：25-27.
	doi：10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2017.01.006.TIAN L L， SHEN L， XUE J F，et al. Establishment of automation system for detection of alcohol in blood[J]. Fayixue Zazhi，2017，33（1）：25-27.
[10]	杜娟，周枝凤，刘源，等. 采血消毒对血液中乙醇含量的影响[J].中国法医学杂志，2015，30（2）：192-193.
	doi：10.13618/j.issn.1001-5728.2015.02.025.DU J， ZHOU Z F， LIU Y， et al. Effects of blood collection disinfection on blood alcohol concentration[J]. Zhongguo Fayixue Zazhi，2015，30（2）：192-193.
[11]	王冬梅，胡俊，傅冬梅. 两种不同方法同步检测血清中乙醇浓度的对比分析[J].中国法医学杂志，2013， 28（5）：403-405.
	WANG D M， HU J， FU D M. Comparison by two methods for determination of ethanol[J]. Zhongguo Fayixue Zazhi，2013，28（5）：403-405.
[12]	MUSILE G， PIGAIANI N， PASETTO E， et al. Validation of a new salt-assisted HS-GC-FID method for the determination of ethanol in the vitreous humor[J]. J Anal Toxicol，2022，46（9）：e274-e279. doi：10.1093/jat/bkac087 .
[13]	STANGEGAARD M， HANSEN A J， FRØSLEV T G， et al. A simple method for validation and verification of pipettes mounted on automated liquid handlers[J]. J Lab Autom，2010，16（5）：381-386. doi：10.1016/j.jala.2009.06.004 .
[14]	高同飞，董壮壮，沈先涛，等. 电膜萃取技术提取生物检材中滥用药物的研究进展[J].分析测试学报，2025，44（1）：25-33.
	doi：10.12452/j.fxcsxb.241024482.GAO T F， DONG Z Z， SHEN X T， et al. Advances in electromembrane extraction of drugs-of-abuse from biological samples[J]. Fenxi Ceshi Xuebao，2025，44（1）：25-33.
[15]	DESHARNAIS B， CAMIRAND-LEMYRE F， MIREAULT P， et al. Procedure for the selection and validation of a calibration model Ⅰ — Description and application[J]. J Anal Toxicol，2017，41（4）：261-268. doi：10.1093/jat/bkx001 .
[16]	WANG X L， JIANG H Z， ZHANG X Q， et al. Development of intelligent drinking detection system for vehicles[J]. Sens Actuators B Chem，2026，446：138732. doi：10.1016/j.snb.2025.138732 .