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

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2.

3.

4.

5.

Explain how a fuel cell detector measure blood alcohol concentration.

Name the key to the accuracy of a breath test.

Define slope detector and explain how it works.

Identify the types of tests included in a field sobriety test.

Identify and describe two divided-attention tasks administered during a field sobriety test.