October 27, 2015

Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing • Recognize and interpret DWI evidence

Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Recognize and interpret DWI evidence
Describe the evidence clearly and
convincingly
Officer Must Be Able To
4-20
B. DWI Investigation Field Notes
One of the most critical tasks in the DWI enforcement process is the recognition and
retention of facts and clues that establish reasonable suspicion to stop, investigate and
subsequently arrest persons suspected of DWI. The evidence gathered during the
detection process must establish the elements of the violation, and must be completely
documented to support successful prosecution of the defendant. This evidence is
largely sensory (sight, smell, hearing) in nature, and therefore is extremely short lived.
You must be able to recognize and act on the facts and circumstances with which you
are confronted. But you also must completely document your observations and
describe them clearly and convincingly to secure a conviction. You may be inundated
with evidence of DWI, i.e., sights, sounds, smells. You recognize this evidence,
sometimes subconsciously, and on this evidence base your decisions to stop, to
investigate and ultimately to arrest.
Since evidence of a DWI violation is short lived, you need a system and tools for
recording field notes at scenes of DWI investigations.
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HS 178 R5/13 14 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Observations -
Short-Lived Evidence
DWI
Investigation
Field Note
Form
4-21
One way to improve the effectiveness of your handwritten field notes is to use a
structured note taking guide. The guide makes it easy to record brief "notes" on each
step of the detection process and ensures that vital evidence is documented.
The field notes provide the information necessary to complete required DWI report
forms and assist you in preparing a written account of the incident. The field notes will
also be useful if you are required to provide oral testimony, since they can be used to
refresh your memory.
A model note taking guide is provided for your use. A brief description follows. Details
are provided in subsequent units.
Note Taking Guide
Remember that you must document those actions which gave you reasonable suspicion
or probable cause to justify further investigation of a suspected DWI incident.
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HS 178 R5/13 15 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
DWI Investigation Field Notes
I Name Sex Race
Address City/State Op. Lic. No.
D.O.B. / / Soc. Sec. #
Vehicle Make Year Lic. State
Disposition No. Passengers
Incident Location
Date / / Time Crash Yes No
II Vehicle in Motion
Initial Observations
Observation of Stop
4-22
• Section I provides space to record basic information describing the subject, the
vehicle, the location, and the date and time the incident occurred.
• Section II provides space to record brief descriptions of the vehicle in motion
(Detection Phase One), including initial observation of the vehicle in operation, and
observation of the stopping sequence.
• Section III provides space to record brief descriptions of the personal contact with the
subject (Detection Phase Two), including observations of the driver.
General Observations provides space to record the subject's manner of speech,
attitude, clothing, etc. Any physical evidence collected should also be noted in this
section.
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HS 178 R5/13 16 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
DWI Investigation
Field Notes (Cont.)
1-25
PBT (1) (optional) Time:___ Results:__
Other Field Sobriety Tests
Name of Test
Describe Performance
Name of Test
Describe Performance
Name of Test
Describe Performance
One Leg Stand
Type of Footwear
L R Sways while Balancing
Uses Arms to Balance
Hopping
Puts Foot Down
Other
PBT (2) (optional) Time:___ Results:__
4-25
Section IV provides space to record the results of all field sobriety tests that were
administered, and the results of the preliminary breath test (PBT) if such a test was
given.
Section V provides space to record the officer's general observations, such as the
subject's manner of speech, attitude, clothing, etc. Any physical evidence collected
should also be noted in this section.
Since this is a note taking guide and space is limited, you will have to develop your own
"shorthand" system. Your notes should be detailed and descriptive of the facts,
circumstances or events being described. These notes may be used to refresh your
memory and to write the narrative report documenting your observations to testify in
court.
NOTE: Field notes may be subpoenaed as evidence in court. It is important that any
"shorthand" system you use be describable, usable, complete and consistent.
Notes:_______________________________________________
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HS 178 R5/13 17 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
At time of incident:
Recognize significant evidence
Compile complete, accurate notes
Prepare complete, accurate, detailed
report
Preparing Testimony
4-26
C. Courtroom Testimony
Testimonial evidence in DWI cases establishes that the defendant was in fact the driver
and was under the influence. Your testimony should be clear, detailed, and concise.
Requirements: Preparation at the scene and prior to trial.
To be effective, testimonial evidence must be clear and convincing. The first
requirement for effective testimony is preparation. Testimony preparation begins at the
time of the DWI incident. From the very beginning of the DWI contact, it is your
responsibility to:
• Recognize significant evidence
• Compile complete, accurate field notes
• Prepare a complete, accurate, detailed report
Notes:_______________________________________________
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HS 178 R5/13 18 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Prior to trial:
Review all paperwork
Review all other evidence
Mentally organize elements and evidence
Mentally organize testimony
Identify potential issues
Discuss with prosecutor
Preparing Testimony (Cont.)
4-27
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Prior to trial:
Review all paperwork
Review all other evidence
Mentally organize elements and evidence
Mentally organize testimony
Identify potential issues
Discuss with prosecutor
Preparing Testimony (Cont.)
4-27
Testimony preparation continues prior to trial. Just before the trial, you should:
• Review field notes, incident report, narrative and other paperwork
• Review other evidence, i.e., video, photographs, etc.
• Mentally organize elements of offense, and the evidence available to prove each
element
• Mentally organize testimony to convey observations clearly and convincingly
• Identify weak spots and/or potential issues with the case and decide how to address
those issues
• Discuss the case with the prosecutor
The foundation for preparation and successful testimony is the relationship between the
law enforcement officer(s) involved with the arrest and the prosecuting attorney(s)
associated with the case. Effective communication and a clear understanding of each
groups’ objectives and expectations is essential for successful prosecution.
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HS 178 R5/13 19 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Phase One: Vehicle in Motion
Initial observations of vehicle
Observations during stopping sequence
Phase Two: Personal Contact
Face to face observations
Statements
Phase Three Pre-arrest screening
SFST’s
PBT
Chronology of Testimony
1-28 4-28
Chronology of Testimony
In court, your testimony should be organized chronologically and should cover each
phase of the DWI incident:
Phase One: Vehicle in Motion – initial observation of vehicle, the driver or both including
what first attracted your attention to the vehicle/driver and details about the driving
before you initiated the traffic stop
Reinforcing cues, maneuvers or actions, observed after signaling the driver to stop, but
before driver's vehicle came to a complete stop.
Phase Two: Personal Contact – face to face observations including personal
appearance, statements and other evidence obtained during your initial contact with
driver.
Phase Three: Pre-arrest Screening – sobriety tests administered to the driver and the
results of any preliminary breath tests.
Notes:_______________________________________________
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HS 178 R5/13 20 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Arrest and post arrest observations:
Arrest procedures and admonitions
Defendant’s actions and statements
Post arrest observations
Request for chemical test(s)
Administration and results of chemical
test(s)
Interview
Chronology of Testimony (Cont.)
4-29
Arrest and Post Arrest Observations
• The arrest itself; including procedures used to inform driver of arrest, admonish
subject of rights, and so on
• Defendant’s actions, statements, and/or admissions subsequent to the arrest
• Observation of defendant subsequent to the arrest; including not just what the
defendant said but actions and reactions
• The request for the chemical test; including the procedures used, admonition of rights
and requirements, and so on
• The conduct, actions, reactions, and results of the chemical test, if you were also the
testing officer
• The interview of the defendant, including any new observations, statements and/or
admissions.
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
Standard Field Sobriety Test Course
QUESTIONS?
4-# 4-35
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HS 178 R5/13 21 of 21
Test your Knowledge
INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the following sentences.
1. DWI detection is defined as
2. The three phases in a typical DWI contact are:
Phase One
Phase Two
Phase Three
3. In Phase One, the officer usually has an opportunity to
4. Phase Three may not occur if
5. In Phase Two, the officer must decide
6. Each major decision can have any one of different outcomes. These are:
7. At each phase of detection, the officer must determine
8. Evidence of DWI is largely in nature.
9. Law enforcement officers need a system and tools for recording field notes at
scenes of DWI investigations because DWI evidence is
10. Testimony preparations begins
11. List two things the officer should do to prepare testimony just before the trial.
a.
b.
12. In court, the officer's testimony should be organized
13. Conditions and results of the chemical test are included in the arresting officer’s
testimony if

HS 178 R5/13 1 of 19

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