Faulty Urine Tests May Have Inflated Alcohol Levels in California Criminal Cases

State forensics lab alerted prosecutors to issues with urine test kits used between 2016-2025

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:40am by Ben Kaplan

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A state forensics laboratory in Sonoma County, California has alerted prosecutors that faulty urine test kits used between 2016 and 2025 may have resulted in inaccurate alcohol readings in criminal cases, including mostly DUI convictions. The lab director said the kits had the wrong mix of a preservative ingredient, which could allow for fermentation and artificially elevated alcohol levels in some samples.

Why it matters

This revelation raises serious concerns about the reliability of forensic testing and the integrity of criminal convictions that relied on the faulty urine tests over a 9-year period. It could potentially impact dozens of cases and undermine public trust in the criminal justice system.

The details

The Sonoma County District Attorney's office identified 9 criminal cases with convictions, mostly DUI, that involved the faulty urine tests. The state lab provided a list of 14 total tests run with the problematic kits, but 5 of those did not result in charges. The lab director said the kits had far less sodium fluoride preservative than labeled, which could allow fermentation and artificially elevated alcohol readings, especially in samples with higher sugar/yeast content like from a yeast infection.

  • The faulty urine test kits were used between 2016 and 2025.
  • The state lab discovered the issue and notified prosecutors in January 2026.

The players

Sonoma County Public Defender's Office

The public defender's office will examine each affected case to determine how the faulty forensic testing may have impacted the outcomes.

Sonoma County District Attorney's Office

The district attorney's office was notified of the problem by the state lab and has identified 9 criminal cases with convictions that involved the faulty urine tests.

California Department of Justice

The state forensics lab in Santa Rosa, which is part of the California Department of Justice, alerted prosecutors to the issue with the urine test kits.

Andwin Scientific

The supplier of the faulty urine test kits that had the wrong mix of a preservative ingredient, which could lead to artificially elevated alcohol readings.

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What they’re saying

“When the government's own lab acknowledges that faulty testing kits may have artificially inflated alcohol levels over a nine-year period, it raises serious concerns about the reliability of their forensic testing, internal controls, and safeguards.”

— Brian Morris, Sonoma County Public Defender (San Francisco Chronicle)

“It does seem to be limited in scope, and we've provided everything we can to defense attorneys to take action if they feel it's appropriate.”

— Brian Staebell, Assistant District Attorney (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Sonoma County Public Defender's Office plans to examine each affected case to determine how the faulty forensic testing may have impacted the outcomes, and will take any necessary steps to protect the rights of the individuals involved.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of robust quality control and oversight in forensic testing, as faulty procedures can have serious consequences for the integrity of the criminal justice system and the lives of those affected. It underscores the need for continuous improvement and transparency to maintain public trust.