DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Walk and Turn Test Clues • Cannot keep balance while listening to instructions

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn Test Clues

• Cannot keep balance while listening to

instructions

8-72

Test Interpretation

You may observe a number of different behaviors when a subject performs this test.

Original research demonstrated that the behaviors listed below are likely to be observed

in someone with a BAC at or above 0.08. Look for the following clues each time this test

is given:

Cannot keep balance while listening to the instructions. Two tasks are required at the

beginning of this test. The subject must balance heel to toe on the line, and at the same

time, listen carefully to the instructions. Typically, the person who is impaired can do

only one of these things. The subject may listen to the instructions, but not keep

balance. Record this clue if the subject does not maintain the heel to toe position

throughout the instructions. (Feet must actually break apart or step off the line.) Do not

record this clue if the subject sways or uses the arms to balance but maintains the heel

to toe position.

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HS 178 R5/13 45 of 62

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn Test Clues (Cont.)

• Starts too soon

• Stops while walking

• Does not touch heel to toe

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Starts too soon. The impaired person may also keep balance, but not listen to the

instructions. Since you specifically instructed the subject not to start walking "until I tell

you to begin," record this clue if the subject does not wait.

Stops while walking. The subject stops while walking. Do not record this clue if the

subject is merely walking slowly.

Does not touch heel to toe. The subject leaves a space of more than one half inch

between the heel and toe on any step.

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn Test Clues (Cont.)

• Steps off line

• Uses arms to balance

• Improper turn

• Incorrect number of steps

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Steps off the line. The subject steps so that one foot is entirely off the line.

Uses arms to balance. The subject raises one or both arms more than 6 inches from the

sides in order to maintain balance.

Improper turn. The subject removes the front foot from the line while turning. Also record

this clue if the subject has not followed directions as demonstrated, i.e., spins or pivots

around or loses balance while turning.

Incorrect number of steps. Record this clue if the subject takes more or fewer than nine

steps in either direction.

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HS 178 R5/13 46 of 62

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn Test Clues

Summary

SFSTs are a tool to assist you in seeing

visible signs of impairment and are not a

pass/fail test

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If subject can't do the test, record observed clues and document the reason for not

completing the test, e.g. subject’s safety.

Remember that the SFSTs are a tool to assist you in seeing visible signs of impairment

and are not a pass/fail test.

Subject gets into a "leg lock" position (legs crossed, unable to move.)

If the subject has difficulty with the test (for example, steps off the line), Continue from

that point, not from the beginning. This test may lose its sensitivity if it is repeated

several times.

Observe the subject from a safe distance and limit your movement which may distract

the subject during the test. Always consider officer safety.

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HS 178 R5/13 47 of 62

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn Test Criterion

2 or more clues indicates BAC

at or above 0.08 (79% accurate)

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Based on recent research, if the subject exhibits two or more clues on this test or fails to

complete it, classify the subject's BAC as at or above 0.08. Using this criterion, you will

be able to accurately classify 79% of your subjects.

Review of Divided Attention Definition

Walk and Turn is a field sobriety test based on the important concept of divided

attention.

The test requires the subject to divide attention among mental tasks and physical tasks.

The mental tasks include comprehension of verbal instructions; processing of

information; and, recall of memory.

The physical tasks include balance and coordination; the subject is required to maintain

balance and coordination while standing still, walking, and turning.

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn Test Criterion

2 or more clues indicates BAC

at or above 0.08 (79% accurate)

8-77

Instruction Stage

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HS 178 R5/13 48 of 62

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn Test Criterion

2 or more clues indicates BAC

at or above 0.08 (79% accurate)

8-78

Balance and Counting Stage

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn Test Criterion

2 or more clues indicates BAC

at or above 0.08 (79% accurate)

8-79

Test DemonstrationsSource: DWI Detection and

Standardized Field

Sobriety Testing

March 2013 Edition