[Age of Reason]

What worries me about this is the sterility of the needles used.

What if the cops reuse a needle that was last used on someone with AIDS?

Should anyone other than an MD or RN or other medical professional be sticking people with needles?

[nomorelurker]

Your post and 138 above have hit on the noncriminal law reason this won't last long. A lawsuit alleging AIDS or Hepatitis caused by "by the road" or police station blood drawing even if totally false will be expensive to defend and disastrous to the City, PD, and officers involved if lost. I suspect that we are only seeing this in small cities because the larger city insurers have told them to expect hefty premium increases if they try this. Smaller cities will have less oversight but these guys should expect a visit some from their agents saying something along the lines of "what are you crazy". A lawsuit involving what is medical malpractice coupled with a court saying the whole process is unconstitutional (should that happen) would be something expensive.