SFST Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When documenting the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, which specific detail must be recorded for each eye?
- The subject's pupil dilation measurement
- The number of clues observed per eye (0–2) (Correct answer)
- The officer's distance from the subject
- The ambient lighting conditions at the scene
Correct answer: The number of clues observed per eye (0–2)
HGN documentation requires recording the number of clues observed in each eye, with a maximum of 2 clues per eye for a total of 6 possible clues.
Question 2: In the narrative section of a DUI arrest report, how should an officer describe a subject's performance on the Walk-and-Turn test?
- Using only the numerical clue count
- With specific behavioral observations matching each of the 8 clues (Correct answer)
- With a general pass/fail designation
- By referencing the scoring sheet number only
Correct answer: With specific behavioral observations matching each of the 8 clues
The narrative must include specific behavioral descriptions corresponding to each of the 8 standardized Walk-and-Turn clues to support the numerical score.
Question 3: What is the purpose of documenting the subject's starting position before each SFST?
- To calculate the subject's height and weight for BAC estimation
- To establish that the officer provided proper instructions and the test began correctly (Correct answer)
- To satisfy the Miranda documentation requirement
- To identify whether the subject has prior DUI convictions
Correct answer: To establish that the officer provided proper instructions and the test began correctly
Documenting the starting position confirms proper test administration and that the subject understood and attempted to follow instructions.
Question 4: Which of the following should be included when documenting a subject's divided attention during the pre-test interview?
- The subject's social security number
- Observations of the subject's ability to simultaneously listen and respond (Correct answer)
- The officer's badge number and shift assignment
- The make and model of the subject's vehicle
Correct answer: Observations of the subject's ability to simultaneously listen and respond
Pre-test interview documentation should capture divided attention indicators such as answering before questions are finished or failing to follow multi-step directions.
Question 5: When should the officer document the subject's refusal to perform an SFST?
- Only if the refusal is repeated three or more times
- Immediately after the refusal occurs, capturing the exact words used (Correct answer)
- After all other tests are completed
- Only in the booking paperwork, not the field report
Correct answer: Immediately after the refusal occurs, capturing the exact words used
A refusal should be documented immediately with the subject's exact words, as it is admissible evidence of consciousness of guilt.
Question 6: How should an officer document environmental conditions that affected SFST administration?
- Omit them if the tests were still administered
- Record them as mitigating factors in a separate section away from the test results
- Include them directly alongside test results to provide context (Correct answer)
- Document only conditions that benefited the subject's performance
Correct answer: Include them directly alongside test results to provide context
Environmental conditions such as uneven surface, wind, or poor lighting must be documented alongside test results to provide accurate context for the clues observed.
Question 7: What does it mean when an officer marks 'clue observed' versus 'clue not observed' on an SFST scoring form?
- 'Not observed' means the clue was absent or the officer was not watching at that moment
- Only 'clue observed' entries are recorded; absences are assumed
- 'Clue observed' means impairment is confirmed and 'not observed' means the subject is sober
- 'Clue observed' documents a specific behavioral indicator of impairment noted during the test (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 'Clue observed' documents a specific behavioral indicator of impairment noted during the test
'Clue observed' means the officer witnessed the specific impairment indicator defined for that test, while 'not observed' means it did not occur during the evaluation.
SFST Documentation 2
When documenting the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, which specific detail must be recorded for each eye?