10.4 Notes
Field Sobriety Tests
Objectives
Describe commonly employed field sobriety tests to assess alcohol impairment
Field Sobriety Testing
Used to determine the suspect’s physical impairment
Determines whether the evidential test is justified
Portable, handheld device is used but is considered nonevidential and serves to establish probable cause
Field Sobriety Tests
Horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) Involuntary jerking of the eye as it
moves to the side following a pen light
http://www.shorewood-hills.org/departments/pd/courtsfst.jpg
Field Sobriety Tests
Walk and turn Stand heel to toe and
listen to and comprehend test instructions
Walk in a straight line touching heel to toe for nine steps, turn around, repeat
Field Sobriety Tests
One leg stand Maintain balance standing with heels
together listening to the instructions Stand on one foot holding the other
several inches off the ground for 30 seconds and count out loud
10.3 & 10.4 Questions
1. Explain how a fuel cell detector measure blood alcohol concentration.
2. Name the key to the accuracy of a breath test.
3. Define slope detector and explain how it works.
4. Identify the types of tests included in a field sobriety test.
5. Identify and describe two divided-attention tasks administered during a field sobriety test.