DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus • Lack of smooth pursuit • Dist. & sust. nystagmus at maximum deviation • Nystagmus onset prior to 45 degrees

Session 8 - Concepts and Principles of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

• Lack of smooth pursuit

• Dist. & sust. nystagmus at maximum deviation

• Nystagmus onset prior to 45 degrees

• Vertical Gaze Nystagmus Y or N (circle one)

• Other _________________________________

Taking Field Notes on the SFSTs

IV Pre-Arrest

Screening Left Right

• Equal Tracking

• Equal Pupils

• Resting Nyst.

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Walk-and-Turn

Instructions Stage

• Cannot keep balance

• Starts too soon

First Nine Steps Second Walking Stage Nine Steps

• Stops walking

• Misses heel-toe

• Steps off line

• Raises arms

• Actual steps taken

Improper Turn (Describe)

Cannot Do Test (Explain)

Other:

8-91

G. Taking Field Notes on the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

For purposes of the arrest report and courtroom testimony, it is not enough to report the

number of clues on the three tests.

The numbers are important to the police officer in the field, because they help determine

whether there is probable cause to arrest.

But to secure a conviction, more descriptive evidence is needed.

The officer must be able to describe how the subject performed on the tests, and what

the subject did.

The standard note taking guide is designed to help develop a clear description of the

subject's performance on the tests.

Session 8 - Concepts and Principles of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Medical Assessment

• Equal Tracking

• Equal Pupils

• Resting Nyst.

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

8-92

Equal Pupils □ Yes □ No

Equal Tracking □ Yes □ No

Resting Nystagmus □ Yes □ No

Other ____________________________

Notes:_______________________________________________

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Notes:_______________________________________________

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HS 178 R5/13 55 of 62

Session 8 - Concepts and Principles of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

• Lack of smooth pursuit

• Dist. & sust. nystagmus at maximum deviation

• Nystagmus onset prior to 45 degrees

• Vertical Gaze Nystagmus(circle one) Y or N

Other _________________________________

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

Left Right

8-93

Complete the entire procedure for both eyes, checking "yes" or "no" for each clue.

Check box  if the clue is present.

For standardization, test the subject's left eye first.

Then, check for the same clue in the right eye.

If clue is not present, leave box blank.

After both eyes have been completely checked, total the number of HGN clues

observed.

Complete the check for vertical gaze nystagmus

If present, circle Y. If not present, circle N.

In the section labeled "other", record any facts, circumstances, conditions or

observations that may be relevant to this procedure.

Notes:_______________________________________________

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HS 178 R5/13 56 of 62

Session 8 - Concepts and Principles of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

• Lack of smooth pursuit

• Dist. & sust. nystagmus at maximum deviation

• Nystagmus onset prior to 45 degrees

• Vertical Gaze Nystagmus(circle one) Y or N

Other _________________________________

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

Left Right

8-94

Examples of additional evidence of impairment emerging while checking for nystagmus:

• Subject unable to keep head still

• Subject swaying noticeably

• Subject utters incriminating statements

Examples of conditions that may interfere with subject's performance while checking for

nystagmus:

• Wind, dust, etc. (irritating subject's eyes).

NOTE: Try to face subject away from flashing or strobe lights that could cause visual or

other distractions that could impede the test.

• Visual or other distractions impeding the test.

Session 8 - Concepts and Principles of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk-and-Turn

Instructions Stage

• Cannot keep balance

• Starts too soon

First Nine Steps Second Walking Stage Nine Steps

• Stops walking

• Misses heel-toe

• Steps off line

• Raises arms

• Actual steps taken

Improper Turn (Describe)

Cannot Do Test (Explain)

Other:

Walk and Turn

8-95

The section on the Walk and Turn test appears at the top of the guide's back side.

First two clues are checked only during the instructions stage.

Notes:_______________________________________________

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Notes:_______________________________________________

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HS 178 R5/13 57 of 62 Source: DWI Detection and

Standardized Field

Sobriety Testing

March 2013 Edition