SCRAM CAM has been a valuable alcohol monitoring tool for family law professionals for well over a decade. Yet questions about how the device works, how it’s funded, and how reliable it really is, still arise.
With the festive period fast approaching, a time when concerns around a parent or caregiver’s sobriety often come under closer scrutiny, we’re here to address the most commonly asked questions about SCRAM.
How does SCRAM measure alcohol consumption?
SCRAM is an alcohol monitoring device worn around the ankle, that uses transdermal analysis to sample insensible perspiration, the small amount of moisture that is constantly present on the skin. Around 1% of any alcohol consumed is expelled from the body this way.
A pump inside the bracelet draws in a sample every 30 minutes and a fuel cell, like the technology used in breathalysers, reacts with any ethanol present to measure alcohol concentration.
This continuous, automated process means the device can register very low levels of consumption, as little as one to two units, providing a detailed, ongoing picture of a participant’s drinking behaviour.
Is SCRAM legal aid funded, and who is liable for costs?
SCRAM is Legal Aid Agency approved, meaning funding shouldn’t present a barrier where a court order has been obtained.
Additionally, AlphaBiolabs operates a straightforward, single-tier pricing structure for SCRAM, so there are no hidden costs once a quote has been provided. Our contract is always with the Instructing Party – the person who completes and signs our referral form.
Quotes for SCRAM can be requested by phone, email, or via our quote form (download or complete online).
Can external alcohol exposure affect the results?
Although spilled alcohol could trigger a SCRAM alert, the device has been specifically designed to distinguish environmental exposure from a genuine drinking event.
Spilling a drink or a product containing alcohol (such as hairspray, household cleaners, hand sanitiser) creates a rapid spike that evaporates and burns off much faster than the body can metabolise alcohol. Additionally, our confirmation process includes analysis that ensures any confirmed drinking event is due to consumed alcohol.
Our data experts have tested exposure to hairspray and hundreds of other alcohol-containing products to confirm the bracelet doesn’t mimic a true drinking event, meaning results can be relied upon with confidence in family proceedings.
How does the device prevent tampering?
The SCRAM bracelet includes several anti-tamper features designed to maintain testing accuracy and confirm results relate to the correct wearer.
Temperature and infrared sensors monitor the skin’s reflective quality to detect anything placed between the bracelet and the ankle, while strap and battery sensors confirm the device remains fitted correctly. The device also runs continuous diagnostic checks to ensure it is functioning correctly throughout the monitoring period.
These features are central to SCRAM’s evidential value, giving courts and legal professionals confidence that results reflect the true behaviour of the wearer throughout the monitoring period.
How long can a client wear the bracelet?
The SCRAM bracelet is commonly worn for a period of 30 to 60 days, offering a reliable indication of drinking patterns, though it can be worn for as long as required.
This makes SCRAM particularly well suited for alcohol monitoring over the festive period, where continuous monitoring can provide reassurance and a consistent evidential picture, rather than relying on a single point-in-time test, such as breath testing.
Alcohol testing you can rely on
AlphaBiolabs has over 20 years’ experience supporting family law professionals with court-admissible alcohol testing, including SCRAM.
If you require alcohol monitoring over the festive period, we recommend instructing SCRAM in good time to ensure fitting can be arranged before Christmas.
To request a quote, contact our New Enquiry team on 0333 600 1300, email testing@alphabiolabs.com, or complete our online quote form at https://www.alphabiolabs.co.uk/legal-test-forms/.
