DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing March 2013 Edition PREFACE

DWI Detection and

Standardized Field

Sobriety Testing

March 2013 Edition

PREFACE

The Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) training prepares police officers and

other qualified persons to administer and interpret the results of the SFST battery. This

training under the auspices and direction of the International Association of Chiefs of

Police (IACP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has

experienced remarkable success in detecting and apprehending intoxicated drivers

since its inception in the 1980s.

As in any educational training program, an instruction manual is considered a “living

document” that is subject to updates and changes based on advances in research

technology and science. A thorough review is made of information by the Drug

Evaluation Classification Program (DECP) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) of the

Highway Safety Committee of the IACP with contributions from many sources in health

care science, toxicology, jurisprudence, and law enforcement. Based on this

information, any appropriate revisions and modifications in background theory, facts,

examination and decision making methods are made to improve the quality of the

instruction as well as the standardization of guidelines for the implementation of the

SFST Training Curriculum. The reorganized manuals are then prepared and

disseminated, both domestically and internationally.

Changes will take effect 90 days after approval by the TAP, unless otherwise specified

or when so designated by NHTSA/IACP or the DEC Program state coordinator.

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