“Whole Blood” is exactly as it sounds – whole blood. It contains red and white blood cells, it has not been clotted, and has not had its cells separated. Blood that has been clotted results in serum, and blood that has its cells separated results in plasma. Blood tests are to be done with “whole blood” samples, and not the resulting liquids of serum or plasma. Testing of serum or plasma of that blood sample will result in a higher BAC reading.
In a given blood sample, the “whole blood” version of that sample will contain less water than the serum or plasma versions of that sample. Because of the difference in water content, and the solubility of alcohol in water, the tests of the more water filled serum or plasma will yield a higher BAC reading than the test of the less water filled (and red and white cell filled), “whole blood”.
They can be the officers, expert witnesses, passengers, etc. There is no jury. The hearing officer not only hears the matter, but also adjudicates it. This is a civil case, so the burden of proof in this administrative hearing is not as stringent as what is required in criminal court – in other words, weaker evidence can be used to decide what will happen to your license than is needed to convict you of a criminal DWI charge.
Once the evidence has been presented, the hearing officer will take it under advisement and make a ruling usually within seven to 10 days.