Assignment

Conducting Your Own Field Sobriety Test

This assignment will give you the opportunity to conduct your own Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs). As outlined in your text, there are three standardized tests used by an officer to determine if a suspect is impaired. Select one of the following learning activities on which to base this assignment:

• Using the three standardized tests, conduct mock FSTs. Evaluate your ability to perform the tests and any issues you feel these tests might provide in determining if someone is under the influence. Knowing what you know about ethanol and blood alcohol concentration, how would you explain in court what it means to be driving under the influence?
  • Document your findings in a two-page paper; include a brief detailing of each of the field sobriety tests, describe your ability to perform the tests, evaluate field sobriety tests as a persuasive means of proving impairment by alcohol, and explain the weaknesses of using field sobriety tests in court to prove alcohol impairment.

• Watch the video, Top 3 Sobriety Tests – number 2 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., of an officer initiating a traffic stop of a suspected drunk driver and the officer’s attempted evaluation of the driver. Document the manner in which she performed these tests. Knowing what you know about ethanol and blood alcohol concentration, how would you explain in court what it means to be driving under the influence?
  • Document your findings in a two-page paper; include a brief detailing of the field sobriety tests, describe the ability of the driver to perform the tests assigned, evaluate field sobriety tests as a persuasive means of proving impairment by alcohol, and explain the weaknesses of using field sobriety tests in court to prove alcohol impairment.

The assignment must be formatted according to the APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Cite your resources in text and on the Reference page, as appropriate. For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar in your online course.