DRE Evaluation Procedures

Question 1

What is the first step in the DRE 12-step evaluation process?

Accepted Answer

Breath alcohol test

Answer

The very first step in the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) 12-step evaluation process is to administer a breath alcohol test. This is crucial to determine if alcohol is present and, if so, to what extent it contributes to the observed impairment. This step helps to rule out or quantify alcohol as the primary cause before proceeding to evaluate for other drug categories.

Question 2

Why is the preliminary examination important in the DRE process?

Accepted Answer

To rule out medical issues

Answer

The preliminary examination in the DRE process is vital for ruling out medical conditions or injuries that could mimic drug impairment symptoms. This ensures that observed signs are not misinterpreted as drug-related when they might stem from a medical emergency, protecting the individual and ensuring an accurate assessment. It's a critical safety and diagnostic step.

Question 3

Which eye test is used to detect drug impairment?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test

Answer

The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test is a standardized field sobriety test used by DREs to detect drug impairment. It assesses the involuntary jerking of the eye as it moves horizontally. Certain drug categories, particularly central nervous system depressants, dissociative anesthetics, and inhalants, are known to cause or enhance HGN, making it a key indicator of impairment.

Question 4

What is assessed during the dark room examination?

Accepted Answer

Pupil size and reactivity

Answer

During the dark room examination, DREs specifically assess the suspect's pupil size under different lighting conditions and their reactivity to light. This helps identify drug categories that cause pupil dilation (mydriasis) or constriction (miosis), or those that affect the pupils' ability to react normally to light. It's a key physiological indicator in drug evaluation, providing crucial evidence of impairment.

Question 5

Why are vital signs recorded during the DRE evaluation?

Accepted Answer

To identify physiological signs of drug use

Answer

Vital signs, including pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature, are recorded during a DRE evaluation because different drug categories have predictable physiological effects on these parameters. For example, stimulants typically elevate pulse and blood pressure, while depressants can lower them. Monitoring these changes helps the DRE correlate observed physical symptoms with specific drug categories to determine impairment.

(DRE) Drug Recognition Expert Certification Practice Test

(DRE) Drug Recognition Expert Certification Practice Test

DRE Evaluation Procedures