EXPERT WITNESS
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A person skilled
in some art, trade, science or profession, having knowledge of matters not
within knowledge of persons of average education, learning and experience,
may assist a jury in arriving at a verdict by expressing an opinion on a
state of facts shown by the evidence and based upon his or her special
knowledge. (NOTE: Only the court can determine whether a witness is
qualified to testify as an expert.)
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FIELD SOBRIETY
TEST
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Any one of several
roadside tests that can be used to determine whether a subject is impaired.
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FLASHBACK
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A vivid
recollection of a portion of an hallucinogenic experience. Essentially, it is
a very intense daydream. There are three types: (1) emotional
--feelings of panic, fear, etc.; (2) somatic --altered body sensations,
tremors, dizziness, etc.; and (3) perceptual --distortions of vision,
hearing, smell, etc.
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GARRULITY
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Chatter, rambling or
pointless speech. Talkative.
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HALLUCINATION
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A sensory
experience of something that does not exist outside the mind, e.g., seeing,
hearing, smelling, or feeling something that isn't really there. Also,
having a distorted sensory perception, so that things appear differently than
they are.
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HALLUCINOGENS
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One of the seven
drug categories. Hallucinogens include LSD, MDMA, Peyote, Psilocybin, and
numerous other drugs.
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HASHISH
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A form of cannabis made from the dried and pressed
resin of a marijuana plant.
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HASH OIL
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Sometimes referred
to as “marijuana oil” it is a highly concentrated syrup-like oil extracted
from marijuana. It is normally produced by soaking marijuana in a container
of solvent, such as acetone or alcohol for several hours and after the
solvent has evaporated, a thick syrup-like oil is produced with a higher THC
content.
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HEROIN
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A powerful and
widely-abused narcotic analgesic that is chemically derived from morphine.
The chemical, or generic name of heroin is "diacetyl morphine".
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HIPPUS
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A rhythmic change
in the pupil size of the eyes, as they dilate and constrict when observed in
darkness independent of changes in light intensity, accommodation (focusing),
or other forms of sensory stimulation. Normally only observed with
specialized equipment.
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HOMEOSTASIS
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The dynamic
balance, or steady state, involving levels of salts, water, sugars, and other
materials in the body's fluids.
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HORIZONTAL GAZE
NYSTAGMUS (HGN)
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Involuntary
jerking of the eyes occurring as the eyes gaze to the side. The first test
administered in the SFST battery.
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HORMONES
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Chemicals produced
by the body's endocrine system that are carried through the blood stream to
the target organ. They exert great influence on the growth and development of
the individual, and that aid in the regulation of numerous body processes.
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HYDROXY THC
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A metabolite of
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
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HYPERFLEXIA
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Exaggerated or
over extended motions.
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HYPERGLYCEMIA
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Excess sugar in
the blood.
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HYPERPNEA
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A deep, rapid or
labored breathing.
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HYPERPYREXIA
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Extremely high
body temperature.
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HYPERREFLEXIA
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A neurological
condition marked by increased reflex reactions.
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HYPERTENSION
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Abnormally high blood pressure. Do not confuse this
with hypotension.
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HYPOGLYCEMIA
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An abnormal
decrease of blood sugar levels.
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HYPOPNEA
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Shallow or slow
breathing.
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HYPOTENSION
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Abnormally low blood pressure. Do not confuse this
with hypertension.
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HYPOTHERMIA
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Decreased body
temperature.
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ICE
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A crystalline form
of methamphetamine that produces a very intense and fairly long-lasting
"high".
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ILLEGAL PER SE
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Unlawful in and of
itself. Used to describe a law which makes it illegal to drive while
having a statutorily prohibited Blood Alcohol Concentration.
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INHALANTS
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One of the seven
drug categories. The inhalants include volatile solvents (such as glue and
gasoline), aerosols (such as hair spray and insecticides) and anesthetic
gases (such as nitrous oxide).
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INSUFFLATION
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See "snorting".
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INTEGUMENTARY
SYSTEM
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The skin and
accessory structures, hair and nails. Functions include protection,
maintenance of body temperature, excretion of waste, and sensory perceptions.
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INTRAOCULAR
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"Within the
eyeball".
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KOROTKOFF
SOUNDS
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A series of
distinct sounds produced by blood passing through an artery, as the external
pressure on the artery drops from the systolic value to the diastolic value.
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LACK OF
CONVERGENCE
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The inability of a
person's eyes to converge, or "cross" as the person attempts to
focus on a stimulus as it is pushed slowly toward the bridge of his or her
nose.
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MARIJUANA
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Common term for
the Cannabis Sativa plant. Usually refers to the dried leaves of the
plant. This is the most common form of the cannabis category.
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MARINOL
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A drug containing
a synthetic form of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marinol belongs to the
cannabis category of drugs, but marinol is not produced from any species of
cannabis plant.
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METABOLISM
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The sum of all
chemical processes that take place in the body as they relate to the
movements of nutrients in the blood after digestion, resulting in growth,
energy, release of wastes, and other body functions. The process by which the
body, using oxygen, enzymes and other internal chemicals, breaks down ingested
substances such as food and drugs so they may be consumed and
eliminated. Metabolism takes place in two phases. The first step is the
constructive phase (anabolism) where smaller molecules are converted to
larger molecules. The second steps is the destructive phase (catabolism)
where large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules.
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METABOLITE
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A chemical
product, formed by the reaction of a drug with oxygen and/or other substances
in the body.
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MIOSIS
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Abnormally
constricted pupils.
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MOTOR NERVES
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Nerves that carry
messages away from the brain, to be body's muscles, tissues, and
organs. Motor nerves are also known as efferent nerves.
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MUSCULAR
HYPERTONICITY
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Rigid muscle tone.
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MYDRIASIS
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Abnormally dilated
pupils.
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NARCOTIC ANALGESICS
|
One of the seven
drug categories. Narcotic analgesics include opium, the natural alkaloids of
opium (such as morphine, codeine and thebaine), the derivatives of opium
(such as heroin, dilaudid, oxycodone and percodan), and the synthetic narcotics
(such as demerol and numorphan).
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NERVE
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A cord-like fiber
that carries messages either to or from the brain. For drug evaluation and
classification purposes, a nerve can be pictured as a series of
"wire-like" segments, with small spaces or gaps between the
segments.
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NEURON
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A nerve cell. The
basic functional unit of a nerve. It contains a nucleus within a cell
body with one or more axons and dendrites.
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NEUROTRANSMITTER
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Chemicals that
pass from the axon of one nerve cell to the dendrite of the next cell, and
that carry messages across the gap between the two nerve cells.
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NULL EFFECT
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One mechanism of
polydrug interaction. For a particular indicator of impairment, two
drugs produce a null effect if neither of them affects that indicator.
For example, PCP does not affect pupil size, and alcohol does not affect
pupil size. The combination of PCP and alcohol produces a null effect on
pupil size.
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NYSTAGMUS
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An involuntary jerking
of the eyes.
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ONE LEG STAND (OLS)
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A divided attention
field sobriety test. The third test administered in the SFST battery.
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"ON THE
NOD"
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A semi-conscious
state of deep relaxation. Typically induced by impairment due to Heroin or
other narcotic analgesic. The suspect's eyelids droop, and chin rests on the
chest. Suspect may appear to be asleep, but can be easily aroused and
will respond to questions.
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OVERLAPPING
EFFECT
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One mechanism of
polydrug interaction. For a particular indicator of impairment, two
drugs produce an overlapping effect if one of them affects the indicator but
the other doesn't. For example, cocaine dilates pupils while alcohol
doesn't affect pupil size. The combination of cocaine and alcohol
produces an overlapping effect on pupil size: the combination will
cause the pupils to dilate.
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PALLOR
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An abnormal
paleness or lack of color in the skin.
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PARANOIA
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Mental disorder
characterized delusions and the projection of personal conflicts, that are
ascribed to the supposed hostility of others.
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PARAPHERNALIA
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Drug paraphernalia
are the various kinds of tools and other equipment used to store, transport
or ingest a drug. Hypodermic needles, small pipes, bent spoons, etc., are
examples of drug paraphernalia. The singular form of the word is
"paraphernalium". For example, one hypodermic needle would be
called a "drug paraphernalium".
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PARASYMPATHETIC
NERVE
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An autonomic nerve
that commands the body to relax and to carry out tranquil activities.
The brain uses parasympathetic nerves to send "at ease" commands to
the muscles, tissues, and organs.
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PARASYMPATHOMIMETIC
DRUGS
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Drugs that mimic
neurotransmitter associated with the parasympathetic nerves. These drugs
artificially cause the transmission of messages that produce lower blood
pressure, drowsiness, etc.
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PDR (Physician's
Desk Reference)
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A basic reference
source for drug recognition experts. The PDR provides detailed information on
the physical appearance and psychoactive effects of licitly-manufactured
drugs.
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PERSONAL
CONTACT
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The second phase
in the DWI detection process. In this phase the officer observes and
interviews the driver face to face; determines whether to ask the driver to
step from the vehicle; and observes the driver's exit and walk from the
vehicle.
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PHENCYCLIDINE
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A contraction of
PHENYL CYCLOHEXYL PIPERIDINE, or PCP. Formerly used as a surgical
anesthetic, however, it has no current legitimate medical use in humans.
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PHENYL
CYCLOHEXYL PIPERIDINE (PCP)
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Often called
"phencyclidine" or “PCP”, it is a specific drug belonging to the
Dissociative Anesthetics category.
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PHYSIOLOGY
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Physiology is the
branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of life or living
matter and the physical and chemical phenomena involved.
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PILOERECTION
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Literally,
"hair standing up", or goose bumps. This condition of the skin is
often observed in persons who are under the influence of LSD.
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POLY DRUG USE
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Ingesting drugs
from two or more drug categories.
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PRE-ARREST
SCREENING
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The third phase in
the DWI detection process. In this phase the officer administers field
sobriety tests to determine whether there is probable cause to arrest the
driver for DWI, and administers or arranges for a preliminary breath test.
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PRELIMINARY
BREATH TEST (PBT)
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A pre-arrest breath test administered during
investigation of a possible DWI violator to obtain an indication of the
person's blood alcohol concentration.
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PROBABLE CAUSE
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It is more than
mere suspicion; facts and circumstances within the officer’s knowledge, and
of which he or she has reasonably trustworthy information, are sufficient to
warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe that an offense has been or
is being committed.
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PSYCHEDELIC
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A mental state
characterized by a profound sense of intensified or altered sensory
perception sometimes accompanied by hallucinations.
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PSYCHOPHYSICAL
TESTS
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Methods of
investigating the mental (psycho-) and physical characteristics of a person
suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. Most psychophysical tests
employ the concept of divided attention to assess a suspect's impairment.
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PSYCHOTOGENIC
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Literally,
"creating psychosis" or "giving birth to insanity".
A drug is considered to be psychotogenic if persons who are under the
influence of the drug become insane, and remain so after the drug wears off.
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PSYCHOTOMIMETIC
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Literally,
"mimicking psychosis" or "impersonating insanity".
A drug is considered to be psychotomimetic if persons who are under the
influence of the drug look and act insane while they are under the influence.
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PTOSIS
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Droopy eyelids.
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PULSE
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The expansion and
relaxation of the walls of an artery, caused by the surging flow of blood.
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PULSE RATE
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The number of
expansions of an artery per minute.
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PUPILLARY LIGHT
REFLEX
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The pupils of the eyes will constrict and dilate
depending on changes in lighting.
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PUPILLARY
UNREST
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The continuous,
irregular change in the size of the pupils that may be observed under room or
steady light conditions.
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REASONABLE
SUSPICION
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Less than probable
cause but more than mere suspicion; exists when an officer, in light of his
or her training and experience, reasonably believes and can articulate that
criminal activity is taking, has taken or is about to take place.
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REBOUND
DILATION
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A period of
pupillary constriction followed by a period of pupillary dilation where the
pupil steadily increases in size and does not return to its original
constricted size.
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RESTING
NYSTAGMUS
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Jerking of the
eyes as they look straight ahead.
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SCLERA
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A dense white
fibrous membrane that, with the cornea, forms the external covering of the
eyeball (i.e., the white part of the eye).
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SENSORY NERVES
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Nerves that carry
messages to the brain, from the various parts of the body, including notably
the sense organs(eyes, ears, etc.). Sensory nerves are also known as afferent
nerves.
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SINSEMILLA
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The unpollenated
female cannabis plant, having a relatively high concentration of THC.
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STANDARDIZED
FIELD SOBRIETY TESTING (SFST)
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Standardized Field
Sobriety Testing. There are three SFSTs, namely Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
(HGN), Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand. Based on a series of controlled
laboratory studies, scientifically validated clues of alcohol impairment have
been identified for each of these three tests. They are the only Standardized
Field Sobriety Tests for which validated clues have been identified.
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SNORTING
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One method of
ingesting certain drugs. Snorting requires that the drug be in powdered form.
The user rapidly draws the drug up into the nostril, usually via a paper or
glass tube. Snorting is also known as insufflation.
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SPHYGMOMANOMETER
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A medical device
used to measure blood pressure. It consists of an arm or leg cuff with
an air bag attached to a tube and a bulb for pumping air into the bag, and a
gauge for showing the amount of air pressure being pressed against the
artery.
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STETHOSCOPE
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A medical
instrument used, for drug evaluation and classification purposes, to listen
to the sounds produced by blood passing through an artery.
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SYMPATHETIC
NERVE
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An autonomic nerve
that commands the body to react in response to excitement, stress, fear, etc.
The brain uses sympathetic nerves to send "wake up calls" and
"fire alarms" to the muscles, tissues and organs.
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SYMPATHOMIMETIC
DRUGS
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Drugs that mimic
the neurotransmitter associated with the sympathetic nerves. These drugs
artificially cause the transmission of messages that produce elevated blood
pressure, dilated pupils, etc.
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SYNAPSE (or Synaptic Gap)
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The gap or space
between two neurons (nerve cells).
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SYNESTHESIA
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A sensory
perception disorder, in which an input via one sense is perceived by the
brain as an input via another sense. In its simplest terms, it is a
transposition of senses. For example, seeing a particular sight may cause the
user to perceive a sound.
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SYSTOLIC
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The highest value
of blood pressure. The blood pressure reaches its systolic value when the
heart is fully contracted (systole), and blood is sent surging into the
arteries.
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TACHYCARDIA
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Abnormally rapid
heart rate; pulse rate above the normal range.
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TACHYPNEA
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Abnormally rapid rate
of breathing.
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THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) The principal psychoactive
ingredient in drugs belonging to the cannabis category.
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TIDAL BREATH
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Breath from the
upper part of the lungs and mouth.
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TOLERANCE
|
An adjustment of
the drug user's body and brain to the repeated presence of the drug. As
tolerance develops, the user will experience diminishing psychoactive effects
from the same dose of the drug. As a result, the user typically will
steadily increase the dose he or she takes, in an effort to achieve the same
psychoactive effect.
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TRACKS
|
Scar tissue
usually produced by repeated injection of drugs, via hypodermic needle, along
a segment of a vein.
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TRAFFIC SAFETY
RESOURCE PROSECUTOR (TSRP)
|
Is usually a current or
former prosecutor who provides training, education and technical support to
traffic crimes prosecutors and law enforcement agencies throughout their
state. For the contact information of your TSRP go to:
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VALID
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Conforming to accepted principles. Producing
accurate and reliable results.
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VALIDATED
|
A documented act
of demonstrating that a procedure, process, and/or activity will consistently
lead to accurate and reliable results.
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VEHICLE IN
MOTION
|
The first phase in
the DWI detection process. In this phase the officer observes the
vehicle in operation, determines whether to stop the vehicle, and observes the
stopping sequence.
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VERTICAL GAZE
NYSTAGMUS
|
An
involuntary jerking of the eyes (up-and-down) which occurs as the eyes
are held at maximum elevation. The jerking should be distinct and sustained.
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VOIR DIRE
|
A French
expression literally meaning “to see, to say.” Loosely, this would be
rendered in English as “To seek the truth,” or “to call it as you see it.” In
a law or court context, one application of voir dire is to question a witness
to assess his or her qualifications to be considered an expert in some matter
pending before the court.
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VOLUNTARY NERVE
|
A motor nerve that carries messages to a muscle
that we consciously control.
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WALK AND TURN
(WAT)
|
A divided
attention field sobriety test. The second test administered in SFST battery.
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WITHDRAWAL
|
This occurs in someone
who is physically addicted to a drug whe
n he or she is
deprived of the drug. If the craving is sufficiently intense, the
person may become extremely agitated, and even physically ill.
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