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

Standardized Field Sobriety Test Course

Session 1 - Introduction

Glossary of Terms

PALLOR

An abnormal paleness or lack of color in the skin.

PARANOIA

Mental disorder characterized delusions and the projection of personal conflicts,

that are ascribed to the supposed hostility of others.

PARAPHERNALIA

Drug paraphernalia are the various kinds of tools and other equipment used to

store, transport or ingest a drug. Hypodermic needles, small pipes, bent spoons,

etc., are examples of drug paraphernalia. The singular form of the word is

"paraphernalium". For example, one hypodermic needle would be called a "drug

paraphernalium".

PARASYMPATHETIC NERVE

An autonomic nerve that commands the body to relax and to carry out tranquil

activities. The brain uses parasympathetic nerves to send "at ease" commands

to the muscles, tissues, and organs.

PARASYMPATHOMIMETIC DRUGS

Drugs that mimic neurotransmitter associated with the parasympathetic nerves.

These drugs artificially cause the transmission of messages that produce lower

blood pressure, drowsiness, etc.

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PDR (Physician's Desk Reference)

A basic reference source for drug recognition experts. The PDR provides

detailed information on the physical appearance and psychoactive effects of

licitly-manufactured drugs.

PERSONAL CONTACT

The second phase in the DWI detection process. In this phase the officer

observes and interviews the driver face to face; determines whether to ask the

driver to step from the vehicle; and observes the driver's exit and walk from the

vehicle.

PHENCYCLIDINE

A contraction of PHENYL CYCLOHEXYL PIPERIDINE, or PCP. Formerly used

as a surgical anesthetic, however, it has no current legitimate medical use in

humans.

PHENYL CYCLOHEXYL PIPERIDINE (PCP)

Often called "phencyclidine" or “PCP”, it is a specific drug belonging to the

Dissociative Anesthetics category.

PHYSIOLOGY

Physiology is the branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of life

or living matter and the physical and chemical phenomena involved.

PILOERECTION

Literally, "hair standing up", or goose bumps. This condition of the skin is often

observed in persons who are under the influence of LSD.

POLY DRUG USE

Ingesting drugs from two or more drug categories.

PRE-ARREST SCREENING

The third phase in the DWI detection process. In this phase the officer

administers field sobriety tests to determine whether there is probable cause to

arrest the driver for DWI, and administers or arranges for a preliminary breath

test.

PRELIMINARY BREATH TEST (PBT)

A pre-arrest breath test administered during investigation of a possible DWI

violator to obtain an indication of the person's blood alcohol concentration.

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PROBABLE CAUSE

It is more than mere suspicion; facts and circumstances within the officer’s

knowledge, and of which he or she has reasonably trustworthy information, are

sufficient to warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe that an offense

has been or is being committed.

PSYCHEDELIC

A mental state characterized by a profound sense of intensified or altered

sensory perception sometimes accompanied by hallucinations.

PSYCHOPHYSICAL TESTS

Methods of investigating the mental (psycho-) and physical characteristics of a

person suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. Most psychophysical tests

employ the concept of divided attention to assess a suspect's impairment.

PSYCHOTOGENIC

Literally, "creating psychosis" or "giving birth to insanity". A drug is considered to

be psychotogenic if persons who are under the influence of the drug become

insane, and remain so after the drug wears off.

PSYCHOTOMIMETIC

Literally, "mimicking psychosis" or "impersonating insanity". A drug is considered

to be psychotomimetic if persons who are under the influence of the drug look

and act insane while they are under the influence.

PTOSIS

Droopy eyelids.

PULSE

The expansion and relaxation of the walls of an artery, caused by the surging

flow of blood.

PULSE RATE

The number of expansions of an artery per minute.

PUPILLARY LIGHT REFLEX

The pupils of the eyes will constrict and dilate depending on changes in lighting.

PUPILLARY UNREST

The continuous, irregular change in the size of the pupils that may be observed

under room or steady light conditions.

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