DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Walk and Turn Divided Attention Test Mental Task and Physical Task Instructions stage Walking stage

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn

Divided Attention Test

Mental Task and Physical Task

Instructions stage

Walking stage

8-66

E. Walk and Turn

Test Stages

Like all divided attention tests, Walk and Turn has two stages.

They are:

• Instructions Stage

• Walking Stage

Both stages are important, because they can affect the subject's overall performance on

the test.

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HS 178 R5/13 41 of 62

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Walk and Turn

Divided Attention Test

Mental Task and Physical Task

Instructions stage

Walking stage

8-67

Test Conditions

Whenever possible, the Walk and Turn test should be conducted on a reasonably dry,

hard, level, non-slippery surface. There should be sufficient room for subjects to

complete nine heel to toe steps. Recent field validation studies have indicated that

varying environmental conditions have not affected a subject’s ability to perform this

test.

The original SCRI studies suggested that individuals over 65 years of age or people

with back, leg or inner ear problems had difficulty performing this test. Less than 1.5%

of the test subjects in the original studies were over 65 years of age. Also, the SCRI

studies suggest that individuals wearing heels more than 2 inches high should be given

the opportunity to remove their shoes. Officers should consider all factors when

conducting SFSTs.

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

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Safety Precautions

• Keep subject on left side during

demonstrations

• Never turn back on subject

• Be aware of surroundings

• Left handed officers should

demonstrate test at a distance more

than arm’s length

8-68

Procedures for Walk and Turn Testing

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HS 178 R5/13 42 of 62 Source: DWI Detection and

Standardized Field

Sobriety Testing

March 2013 Edition