DECP DRE 12 Step Process

Question 1

BREATH ALCOHOL TEST

Answer 1

The purpose of the breath test is to determine whether a the specific drug, alcohol, may be contributing to the impairment observed in the subject.

Note method of measurement, serial number, time of test, and result.

Question 2

INTERVIEW OF THE ARRESTING OFFICER

Answer 2

Interviewing the arresting officer gives you vital information about the contact and arrest details. Specifically:

1. The officer may have observed valuable indicators of kinds of drugs the subject has ingested.
2. The officer in searching the vehicle may have uncovered drug-related paraphernalia or drugs themselves.
3. The officer may alert you to subject behavior prior to your arrival.

Include reason for stop, driving observations, general observations, possession of drugs or paraphernalia, performance on field sobriety tests, and admissions made by the suspect.

Question 3

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION (FIRST PULSE)

Answer 3

Gloves Must be Worn at This Point; this is your first observation of the subject.

The major purpose of this preliminary examination is to begin to assess if the subject is suffering from an injury or medical condition, or is actually exhibiting appearance, behaviors, and automatic body responses for signs of drug-related impairment.

Health questions; assess attitude, coordination, appearance, breath, and speech.

Question 4

EXAMINATIONS OF THE EYES

Answer 4

HGN
LOC
Estimate Angle of onset.

Question 5

DIVIDED ATTENTION TESTS

Answer 5

Modified Romberg Balance (MRB)
Walk and Turn (WAT)
One Leg Stand (OLS): Start standing on left; right on second attempt.
Modified Finger to Nose (MFN)

Question 6

EXAMINATION OF VITAL SIGNS (SECOND PULSE)

Answer 6

Blood Pressure via Sphygmomanometer and Stethoscope.
Body Temperature
Second Pulse

Question 7

DARKROOM EXAMINATION & INGESTION EXAMINATION

Answer 7

Three lighting Phases for Pupil Check with pupillometer:
Room Light: Range 2.5-5.0 mm
Near Total Darkness: Range 5.0-8.5 mm
Direct Light: Range: 2.0-4.5 mm

Check for Pupillary Unrest, Rebound Dilation and Reaction to Light.

Ultraviolet (UV) light optional for Near Total Darkness. After pupil estimations, check nasal and oral cavities for signs of ingestion.

Question 8

EXAMINATION OF MUSCLE TONE

Answer 8

Checked for rigid/tense tone; for flaccidity or “rubbery-like” muscle tone.

Evidence of muscle tone may come to light in the Vital Sign Stage (6) or the Divided Attention Tests (5).

Question 9

EXAMINATION FOR INJECTION SITES (THIRD PULSE)

Answer 9

Check for Track Marks, Needle Marks, Fresh Injection Sites, Back-doors, ect.

THIRD PULSE/FINAL PULSE

Question 10

SUSPECT’S STATEMENTS AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Answer 10

Interview suspect regarding current drugs and medications use (what types, when, how long, etc). Time for interrogation on conflicting information or if the subject is lying.

Question 11

OPINION OF EVALUATOR

Answer 11

Based on all the evidence and observations gleaned from the preceding steps, the DRE should be able to reach an informed opinion as to:

• Whether the subject is under the influence of a drug or drugs and if so
• The probable category or categories of drugs causing impairment.

Record in narrative summary for basis of their opinion.

Question 12

TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

Answer 12

Urine kit

Question 13

Reasons for Standardization of the DRE 12 Step Process

Answer 13

Standardization helps ensure no mistakes no made
No steps are omitted
No extraneous or unreliable “indicators” are included.
Standardization helps to promote professionalism among DREs.
Standardization helps secure acceptance in court.