SFST Certification Exam Prep

Question 1

What are the 3 SFST tests in order which they are administered?

Answer 1

The 3 SFSTs are:
1) Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
2) Walk and Turn (WAT)
3) One Leg Stand (OLS)

Question 2

What is the definition of Nystagmus?

Answer 2

Nystagmus is the involuntary jerking of the eye

Question 3

What is the definition of HGN?

Answer 3

HGN is the involuntary jerking of the eye, occurring as the eyes gaze to the side

Question 4

What are the 2 components of HGN?

Answer 4

The 2 components of HGN are:
1) Medical Assessment
2) Alcohol Assessment

Question 5

What are 3 validated clues for HGN?

Answer 5

The 3 validated clues for HGN are:
1) Lack of Smooth Pursuit
2) Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation
3) Onset of Nystagmus Prior to 45º

Question 6

How many total clues are possible for HGN testing?

Answer 6

6 total, possible clues for HGN (3 each eye)

Question 7

How many HGN clues are needed for recommending arrest?

Answer 7

At least 4 of 6 possible HGN clues are needed for recommending arrest

Question 8

What BAC is associated with Lack of Smooth Pursuit?

Answer 8

.04 or higher BAC is associated with Lack of Smooth Pursuit

Question 9

What BAC is associated with Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation?

Answer 9

.08 or higher BAC is associated with Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation

Question 10

What BAC is associated with Onset of Nystagmus Prior to 45º?

Answer 10

.10 or higher BAC is associated with Onset of Nystagmus Prior to 45º

Question 11

What are 2 Divided Attention Test?

Answer 11

The WAT and OLS are 2 Divided Attention Tests

Question 12

What are the stages of WAT?

Answer 12

The 2 stages of WAT are?
1) Instruction Stage
2) Walking Stage

Question 13

How many clues are possible in the First Stage of the WAT and name the clues?

Answer 13

2 clues are possible in the WAT Instruction Stage:
1) Starts Too Soon
2) Cannot Maintain Balance

Question 14

How many clues are possible in the Second Stage of the WAT and name the clues?

Answer 14

6 clues are possible in the WAT Walking Stage (S.H.O.R.T.S.):
1) Stops off the line
2) Heel to toe - does not touch H2T
3) Off line - steps off line
4) Raises arms for balance
5) Turns improperly - loses balance turning
6) Steps - wrong number of steps

Question 15

How many clues are needed for arrest in WAT and what is the associated with BAC?

Answer 15

2 or more clues in the WAT are needed for arrest and are associated with .08 BAC

Question 16

What are the stages of OLS?

Answer 16

There are 2 stages of the OLS:
1) Instruction Stage
2) Balance and Counting Stage

Question 17

How many clues are possible in the First Stage of the OLS and name the clues?

Answer 17

0 (zero) possible clues in the Instruction Stage of the OLS

Question 18

How many clues are possible in the Second Stage of the OLS and name the clues?

Answer 18

There are 4 possible clues in the Balance and Counting Stage of the OLS (P.U.S.H.):
1) Puts foot down
2) Uses arm(s) for balance
3) Sways
4) Hopping

Question 19

How many clues are needed for arrest in OLS and what is the associated with BAC?

Answer 19

2 or more clues in the OLS are needed for arrest and are associated with .08 BAC

Question 20

Define Divided Attention Test

Answer 20

A Divided Attention Test: Concentrating on more than one thing at a time (mental tasks and physical tasks)

Question 21

What type of alcohol is found in alcoholic beverages?

Answer 21

Ethanol is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages

Question 22

What is the “illegal per se” law?

Answer 22

The “illegal per se” law makes it an offense to operate a vehicle while having a statutorily prohibited BAC

Question 23

A good, structured field sobriety tests is:

Answer 23

A good, structured field sobriety test is simple and divided the subject’s attention

Question 24

What is the difference in Clue and Cue?

Answer 24

Clue: What officer test for?
Cue: What officer observes; Officer does not test for cues

Question 25

What are the Phases of DUI detection?

Answer 25

There are 3 Phases of DUI detection: 1) Phase 1: Vehicle In Motion 2) Phase 2: Personal Contact 3) Phase 3: SFST

Question 26

In Phase 1 of DUI Detection, what is the principal question for the officer?

Answer 26

The principal question for the officer in the Vehicle In Motion Phase (Phase 1) of DUI Detection is: Should I stop?

Question 27

How many total cues are there in Phase 1 of DUI detection?

Answer 27

There are 30 possible cues in the Vehicle In Motion Phase of DUI detection (24 prior to command to stop; 6 after command to stop)

Question 28

In Phase 2 of DUI Detection, what is the principal question for the officer?

Answer 28

The principal question for the officer in the Personal Contact Phase (Phase 2) of DUI detection is: Should I instruct the driver to exit the vehicle?

Question 29

How many total cues are there in Phase 2 of DUI detection?

Answer 29

There are 28 possible cues in the Personal Contact Phase of DUI detection (12 cues from sight; 5 cues from hearing; 4 cues from smell; 7 cues from exit from vehicle)

Question 30

In Phase 3 of DUI Detection, what is the principal question for the officer?

Answer 30

The principal question for the officer in the SFST Phase (Phase 3) of DUI Detection is: Should I arrest?

Question 31

The arrest decision is based on _____________ ?

Answer 31

The arrest decision is based on all evidence obtained during all three detection phases

Question 32

List SFSTs in order of reliability and provide percentage of reliability per San Diego field validation study

Answer 32

The most reliable SFST is HGN (88% reliable); The OLS is more reliable (83% reliable) than the WAT (79% reliable)

Question 33

What is the most important instruction in administering a PBT?

Answer 33

When administering a Preliminary Breath Test, Do not permit the subject to put ANYTHING in their mouth for at least 15 to 20 minutes prior to testing

Question 34

Name the 8 typical stimulus capabilities required for driving?

Answer 34

The 8 typical stimulus capabilities required for driving are: 1) Information Processing 2) Short-term memory 3) Judgment and decision making 4) Balance 5) Steady, sure reations 6) Clear vision 7) Small muscle control 8) Coordination of limbs