Standardized Field Sobriety Test Course Session 1 - Introduction Glossary of Terms BAC

Standardized Field Sobriety Test Course

Session 1 - Introduction

Glossary of Terms

BAC

(Blood Alcohol Concentration) - The percentage of alcohol in a person’s blood.

BrAC

(Breath Alcohol Concentration) - The percentage of alcohol in a person’s blood

as measured by a breath testing device.

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BLOOD PRESSURE

The force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure changes

continuously, as the heart cycles between contraction and expansion.

BRADYCARDIA

Abnormally slow heart rate; pulse rate below the normal range.

BRADYPNEA

Abnormally slow rate of breathing.

BRUXISM

Grinding the teeth. This behavior is often seen in person who are under the

influence of cocaine or other CNS Stimulants.

CANNABIS

This is the drug category that includes marijuana. Marijuana comes primarily

from the leaves of certain species of Cannabis plants that grow readily all over

the temperate zones of the earth. Hashish is another drug in this category, and is

made from dried and pressed resin of a marijuana plant. The active ingredient in

both Marijuana and Hashish is a chemical called delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol,

usually abbreviated THC.

This is the drug category that includes Mari

CARBOXY THC

A metabolite of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

CHEYNE- STOKES RESPIRATION

Abnormal pattern of breathing. Marked by breathlessness and deep, fast

breathing.

CLUE - Something that leads to the solution of a problem.

CNS (Central Nervous System)

A system within the body consisting of the brain, the brain stem, and the spinal

cord.

CNS DEPRESSANTS

One of the seven drug categories. CNS Depressants include alcohol,

barbiturates, anti-anxiety tranquilizers, and numerous other drugs.

CNS STIMULANTS

One of the seven drug categories. CNS Stimulants include Cocaine, the

Amphetamines, Ritalin, Preludin, and numerous other drugs.

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CONJUNCTIVITIS

An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the

eyelids caused by infection, allergy, or outside factors. May be bacterial or viral.

Persons suffering from conjunctivitis may show symptoms in one eye only. This

condition is commonly referred to as "pink eye", a condition that could be

mistaken for the bloodshot eyes produced by alcohol or Cannabis.

CONVERGENCE

The "crossing" of the eyes that occurs when a person is able to focus on a

stimulus as it is pushed slowly toward the bridge of their nose. (See, also, "Lack

of Convergence".)

CRACK/ROCK

Cocaine base, appears as a hard chunk form resembling pebbles or small rocks.

It produces a very intense, but relatively short duration "high".

CUE - A reminder or prompting as a signal to do something. A suggestion or a hint.

CURRICULUM VITAE

A written summary of a person's education, training, experience, noteworthy

achievements and other relevant information about a particular topic.

CYCLIC BEHAVIOR

A manifestation of impairment due to certain drugs, in which the suspect

alternates between periods (or cycles) of intense agitation and relative calm.

Cyclic behavior, for example, sometimes will be observed in persons under the

influence of PCP.