Mixed Deck — All SFST Topics Flashcards

During court testimony, a defense attorney asks why the officer did not use a stopwatch during OLS. What is the correct NHTSA-recommended response?

Answer: NHTSA recommends using a watch or other timing device to measure the 30-second period

NHTSA recommends that officers use a timing device to accurately measure the 30-second OLS period.

Implied consent laws typically require that a driver who refuses a chemical test following a failed SFST faces:

Answer: Administrative license suspension

Implied consent laws impose administrative license suspension as a civil penalty for chemical test refusal.

The primary route of alcohol elimination from the body is through:

Answer: Metabolism by the liver

Approximately 90–95% of consumed alcohol is eliminated through hepatic metabolism (liver), while small amounts are excreted via breath, urine, and sweat.

What is the process of elimination in multiple-choice testing?

Answer: Ruling out obviously incorrect answers to improve odds

Process of elimination involves identifying and removing clearly wrong answers, increasing the probability of selecting the correct answer from remaining options.

A suspect informs the officer they have a glass eye. How should the officer proceed with the HGN test?

Answer: Administer HGN on the functioning eye only and note the condition

NHTSA guidelines allow the HGN to be administered using the functioning eye only, and the officer should document the condition.

When using the SFST battery to detect drug impairment (rather than alcohol), which test in the standard battery is considered LEAST reliable as a standalone indicator?

Answer: HGN, because some drug categories do not produce nystagmus

HGN is most specifically linked to alcohol and certain drug categories; stimulants or cannabis alone may not reliably produce nystagmus, making it the least universal drug indicator.

A suspect with a documented inner ear disorder asks to take the Walk and Turn test seated. What should the officer do?

Answer: Note the condition and consider whether the WAT is an appropriate test

Officers should consider medical and physical conditions that may affect balance and document them; conditions like inner ear disorders can affect WAT validity and should be noted.

An officer administers the HGN test but fails to document the stimulus speed used. Why is this a problem?

Answer: Moving the stimulus too fast or slow can produce false clues, so speed must be noted to validate the test

The stimulus must be moved at approximately 2 seconds per pass for smooth pursuit and 4 seconds for maximum deviation, so documenting compliance with these rates validates the test results.

How should you manage time during a timed test?

Answer: Divide total time by questions and pace yourself, spending less on easy ones

Calculate time per question, spend less on easy questions to bank time for harder ones, and check your pace periodically.

An officer suspects a subject may have a medical condition affecting their ability to perform the Walk-and-Turn. What is the best course of action?

Answer: Note the condition, ask if it affects balance or walking, and document the response before proceeding

The officer should ask about any conditions affecting balance or walking, document the suspect's response, and factor it into the interpretation of test results.

Which statement about the relationship between HGN and cannabis (marijuana) impairment is accurate?

Answer: Cannabis does not reliably cause the standard horizontal gaze nystagmus clues

Research has not established that cannabis reliably produces horizontal gaze nystagmus; HGN is primarily associated with alcohol and CNS depressants.

What is the evidentiary value of documenting a subject's odor of alcohol as part of an SFST report?

Answer: It is a corroborating sensory observation that supports the officer's probable cause determination

The odor of alcohol is a relevant, corroborating observation that contributes to the totality of circumstances supporting the officer's probable cause determination.

What type of courses might be included in the continuing education for SFST-certified officers?

Answer: Updates on impaired driving laws and best practices in field sobriety testing

Continuing education for SFST-certified officers is crucial for maintaining proficiency and legal compliance. Updates on impaired driving laws ensure officers are aware of current legal standards, while best practices in field sobriety testing help them refine their techniques and ensure the accuracy and admissibility of their evidence in court. This directly supports the core purpose of SFST certification.

The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test measures what?

Answer: Eye movements to detect impairment

The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test specifically measures involuntary jerking of the eyes as they gaze to the side. Alcohol and certain drugs impair the brain's ability to control eye movements smoothly, leading to more pronounced nystagmus. Observing these specific eye movements helps officers detect signs of central nervous system impairment, which is a key indicator of intoxication.

Which doctrine allows evidence discovered during a valid inventory search of an impounded DUI suspect's vehicle?

Answer: Inventory search exception to the warrant requirement

The inventory search exception permits a warrantless search of an impounded vehicle to document its contents and protect the agency from liability.

What is the correct order for donning PPE?

Answer: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves

The correct donning sequence is gown first, then mask/respirator, eye protection/face shield, and gloves last. This prevents contamination during application.

What is the minimum recommended distance between the suspect's eyes and the HGN stimulus during the test?

Answer: 12 to 15 inches

NHTSA recommends holding the stimulus 12 to 15 inches from the suspect's face to ensure proper eye tracking without causing strain.

What is a key focus during the SFST training program?

Answer: Understanding the physiological effects of alcohol

A key focus of SFST training is to educate officers on how alcohol affects the human body, particularly the central nervous system, and how these effects manifest in observable behaviors. This understanding is crucial because the SFSTs are specifically designed to detect these physiological impairments, such as impaired balance, coordination, and eye movements, which are direct results of alcohol consumption. This knowledge helps officers accurately interpret test results and articulate their observations in court.

Which statement accurately describes the 'hopping' clue during the One-Leg Stand?

Answer: The subject uses small hops on the standing foot to maintain balance

Hopping is recorded when the subject uses small hops on the standing foot to maintain balance rather than remaining stationary.

What is the NHTSA-recognized sequence for introducing the three SFST tests during the practitioner course?

Answer: HGN, WAT, OLS

NHTSA training introduces the tests in the order HGN, WAT (Walk-and-Turn), and OLS (One-Leg-Stand) as presented in the student manual.