DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Session 7 – Phase Three: Pre-Arrest Screening

Participant Manual SFST - Session 7- Phase Three: Pre-Arrest Screening

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Session 7 – Phase Three: Pre-Arrest Screening

Session 7

Phase Three:

Pre-Arrest Screening

40 Minutes

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Session 7 – Phase Three: Pre-Arrest Screening

• Describe the role of psychophysical and

preliminary breath tests

• Define and describe the concepts of

divided attention and nystagmus

• Discuss the advantages and limitations

of preliminary breath testing

• Discuss the arrest decision process

Learning Objectives

7-2

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the role of psychophysical and preliminary breath tests;

• Define and describe the concepts of divided attention and nystagmus;

• Discuss the advantages and limitations of preliminary breath testing; and

• Discuss the arrest decision process.

CONTENT SEGMENTS LEARNING ACTIVITIES

A. Overview: Tasks and Decision Instructor Led Presentation

Gaze Nystagmus - Definition Instructor Led Demonstrations

B. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus – Definition, Video Presentation

Concepts, Demonstration

C. Vertical Gaze Nystagmus – Definition,

Concepts, Demonstration

D. Divided Attention Tests: Concepts,

Examples, Demonstration

E. Advantages and Limitations of Preliminary

F. Breath Testing

G. The Arrest Decision

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HS 178 R5/13 2 of 26

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Session 7 – Phase Three: Pre-Arrest Screening

Phase Three:

Pre-Arrest Screening

Should

I Arrest?

?

Field Sobriety

Testing

Preliminary

Breath Testing

7-3

A. Overview: Tasks and Decision

Like Phases One and Two, DWI Detection Phase Three, Pre-arrest Screening has two

major evidence gathering tasks and one major decision.

Phase Three: Pre-Arrest Screening

Your first task in Phase Three is to administer three scientifically validated Standardized

Field Sobriety Tests. If your agency uses preliminary breath tests (PBTs), your second

task would be to administer (or arrange for) a PBT to confirm the chemical basis of the

subject's impairment. Based on these tests and on all other evidence from Phase One

and Two, you must decide whether there is sufficient probable cause to arrest the

subject for DWI. The entire detection process culminates in the arrest/no arrest

decision.

DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Session 7 – Phase Three: Pre-Arrest Screening

Methods of Assessing Driver’s Mental and

Physical Impairment

• Focus on balance, coordination,

information processing, etc.

• Observed as soon as face to face contact

and begin the interview

• Additional indicators observed as the

driver exits

• SFST tests are most scientifically reliable

Psychophysical Tests

7-4

Psychophysical tests are methods of assessing a subject's mental and physical

impairment. These tests focus on the abilities needed for safe driving: balance,

coordination, information processing and so on.

Indicators of psychophysical impairment may be observed as soon as you come into

face to face contact with the subject and begin the interview. Additional indicators of

impairment can be observed as the subject exits the vehicle to begin the field sobriety

tests. The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests are the most scientifically reliable.

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HS 178 R5/13 3 of 26Source: DWI Detection and

Standardized Field

Sobriety Testing

March 2013 Edition