Observation Skills Flashcards

A suspect exits the vehicle and the officer notices the suspect uses the car door to steady themselves. How should the officer document this?

Answer: As a pre-test observation in the narrative report

Pre-test observations such as using a vehicle for balance are documented in the narrative and provide context for the overall DUI investigation.

During the HGN check for distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, how long should the officer hold the stimulus at maximum deviation?

Answer: At least 4 seconds

NHTSA guidelines require the stimulus be held at maximum deviation for at least 4 seconds to properly observe distinct and sustained nystagmus.

Which of the following is NOT one of the three NHTSA-validated standardized field sobriety tests?

Answer: Finger-to-Nose

The three NHTSA-validated SFSTs are HGN, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand; Finger-to-Nose is not among the validated battery.

What BAC level does NHTSA research indicate the Walk-and-Turn test is validated to detect?

Answer: 0.08% or greater

NHTSA research validates the Walk-and-Turn test for detecting BAC at or above the legal limit of 0.08%.

An officer observes a suspect's eye bounce while tracking the stimulus during smooth pursuit. This is best described as:

Answer: Lack of smooth pursuit — the eye does not follow smoothly

Lack of smooth pursuit is observed when the eye jerks or bounces rather than following the stimulus smoothly across the visual field.

During the Walk-and-Turn test, the suspect turns correctly but then takes 10 steps back instead of 9. This represents:

Answer: One clue for wrong number of steps

Taking more or fewer than the instructed number of steps on the return trip is scored as one clue for wrong number of steps.

Why is consistent lighting important when administering the HGN test during a nighttime traffic stop?

Answer: Lighting affects the officer's ability to clearly observe eye movements

Adequate and consistent lighting allows the officer to clearly observe the suspect's eye movements and accurately identify nystagmus clues.