12 Steps of The Drug Evaluation Process
- Breath Alcohol Test - A sample of breath is taken from the test subject to determine the concentration of alcohol, if any, in the test subject.
- Interview of Arresting Officer - The DRE consults with the investigator(s) to determine the circumstances leading up to the apprehension of the test subject.
- Preliminary Examination - Initial examination of the subject. Some questions are asked in relation to the subject's medical/physical limitations.
- Eye Examination - Eyes are examined for pupils being equal, the ability of the eyes to track a stimulus equally, to monitor the smoothness of that tracking, to look for Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, as well as Vertical Gaze Nystagmus.
- Divided Attention Tests - One Leg Stand is done with both legs. Walk and Turn test is done. Modified Romberg Balance test. And Finger to Nose test is done.
- Examination of Vital Signs - Blood pressure, pulse and body temperature is taken.
- Dark Room Examinations - Examination of the pupil sizes in near total darkness, under direct light, and in normal room light. Examination of the oral and nasal cavities are done at the same time.
- Examination of Muscle Tone - Flexion and Extension of the muscles are tested, to see if there is flaccidity, or rigidity of the muscles.
- Examination of Injection Sites - Examination of common injection sites to determine if the subject is using injected substances.
- Suspects Statements / Other Observations - Soliciting information from the test subject which will corroborate signs and symptoms that the evaluator has observed.
- Opinion of the Evaluator - The DRE makes a determination of the class or classes of drugs that a subject is under the influence based on a matrix of symptomology that has been developed during studies of subjects under the influence of known classes of drugs.
- The Toxicological Examination - Blood, saliva or urine is obtained by demand, which is analyzed to determine what class of substances are present that corroborates the DRE's opinion.
Read more about this topic: Drug Recognition Expert
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