The following
document was prepared by a Kansas DRE police officer for a high
school presentation. This lays out the basics of DRE protocol
and training.
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LESSON PLAN
FOR CONDUCTING A UNIT OF INSTRUCTION IN
WHAT IS A DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT?
PRESENTED FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ADULTS PRESENTED BY
DETECTIVE ROBERT L. CRITES CERTIFIED DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT
Unit
Learning Goal
It
is the goal of this unit of instruction for attendees to know
what a Drug Recognition Expert is and what one does.
Unit Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion
of this unit of instruction, the audience will:
1.
Know what a Drug Recognition Expert does.
2.
Be familiar with how they perform the required tests and
evaluations.
3.
Understand the growing need in society for the skills of
a Drug Recognition Expert.
Unit Learning Plan
A.
Method of Instruction
Lecture
B.
Instruction Aids
1.
Classroom
2.
Handouts - Kansas Drug Influence Evaluation (completed)
C. Method of Evaluation
Classroom
participation and question and answer session at unit completion.
D. Student Target Population
Grades
9 through adult students and teachers, Law Enforcement personnel.
E. Time Alloted
Minimum 2 hours
Topical
Outline
I.
Introduction
A.
Introduce self and background
B.
Present unit goals and objectives
II.
Body
A.
How many of you have ever heard of a Drug Recognition Expert?
B.
How many know what they are and why there is such a person?
1.
Drug Recognition Expert is also called a DRE or a DRT (technician)
2.
A DRE is a Law Enforcement officer who has been trained
to evaluate the DUI (Driving Under the Influence) driver that
appears to be under the influence of some substance other than
alcohol. The DRE certification process is a very lengthy
and difficult training. Full certification is not complete
for about two or three months after the two-week school, 15-proctored
evaluations of drug influenced subjects, and a 20 question, 8-hour
exam.
3.
There are approximately 100 in the state of Kansas and
about 6000 in the Nation.
C.
When does the DRE do his job?
1.
The DRE is contacted after the breath alcohol test has
been administered and shows no alcohol or an alcohol level that
would be lower than the exhibited physical signs of the subject.
2.
The DRE begins his evaluation process that takes a minimum
of 45 minutes and ranges from the Field Sobriety Testing to many
physical and medical observations.
D.
Categories of drugs of influence
1.
Central Nervous System Depressants
2.
Central Nervous System Stimulants
3.
Hallucinogens
4.
PCP
5.
Narcotics
6.
Inhalants
7.
Cannabis
Since
we know that drugs affect the body in many ways, the Drug Evaluation
process was developed to observe and compare the body's controllable
and uncontrollable reactions to the evaluations. These recorded
reactions, combined with his extensive training, help the DRE
in making a determination as to the category of drug the subject
is being influenced by.
E.
The DRE begins a twelve-step evaluation process, finally
completing the Influence Report form and notifying the arresting
officer of the outcome.
III.
Twelve-Step Evaluation Process
A.
Breath Alcohol Screening Test
1.
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (by initiating officer)
a.
May indicate actions not indicative of alcohol influence
2.
Preliminary Breath Testing
a.
May indicate low or 0.00% Blood Alcohol Content
3.
Intoxilyzer Testing
a.
Must be tested to establish foundation for DRE evaluation
b.
If the subject refuses, there can be no DRE testing
B.
Interview with arresting officer
1.
How was the subject acting at the scene
a.
Many drugs have short duration of affect
2.
Unusual actions, statement, or contraband
a.
Did the subject say anything about drugs
b.
Were there any drugs or paraphernalia around
c.
Different drugs affect the body differently
C.
Preliminary exam of subject
1.
First check of pulse
2.
Angle of onset of Nystagmus
3.
Initial pupil size
D.
Eye exam
1.
Check both eyes
a.
Equal pupil size
b.
Equal tracking of pupils
2.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
a.
Smooth pursuit
b.
Maximum deviation
c.
Angle of onset
3.
Vertical Gaze Nystagmus
4.
Non-convergence
E.
Divided attention tests
1.
Romberg
a.
Body sway
b.
30 second internal clock
c.
Tremors
2.
Nine-step Walk and Turn
3.
One-leg-stand
a.
30 seconds each leg
4.
Finger-to-nose test
F.
Vital signs
1.
Check pulse
2.
Blood pressure
3.
Body temperature
G.
Pupil size and ingestion exam
1.
Pupil size in lighted room
2.
Pupil size in total darkness
3.
Pupil size in indirect light
4.
Pupil size in direct light
a.
Rebound dilation
b.
Hippus
5.
Check nasal cavities
a.
Residue from insufflated drugs
b.
Deviated septum
6.
Check oral cavities
a.
Residue on tongue
b.
Debris from drugs
c.
Blisters
H.
Check muscle tone
1.
Rigidity caused by stimulants, PCP, Hallucinogens
2.
Flaccid caused by depressants, narcotics, inhalants
I.
Check for injection sites
1.
Final pulse
2.
Injection sites
a.
Bends and joints
b.
Tattooed areas
J.
Interrogation, statements, other observations
K.
Opinion by the evaluator
L.
Toxicology exam
1.
Urine or blood specimen
a.
Confirms evaluators opinion
Drug Evaluation Narrative
Subject: Bob Brown
Date:
05-02-98
Location:
Evaluation conducted at Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility,
Professional Visitation Room, Wichita, Kansas.
Witnesses:
Officer Robert Crites, Haysville Police Department, Evaluator.
Officer Tom Chancellor, Derby Police Department, Recorder. Sgt.
Ralph Duffey, Kansas Highway Patrol, Witness. Officer Ralph Stewart,
Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, Instructor.
Breath
Alcohol Test: Officer
Robert Crites obtained a .00% BAC from Brown.
Notification
and Interview of the Arresting Officer:
At approx. 2315 hrs. I was asked to conduct a DRE evaluation on
Bob Brown. Brown's impairment was not consistent with a
BAC of .00% obtained.
Initial
Observations of Suspect:
I first observed Brown in the booking area of the jail at approx.
2315 hrs. Brown was very fidgety and nervous. Brown
could not keep his hand or feet still. I noticed that Brown's
face was flushed, and he was sweating. He kept licking his
lips, and shaking his head. On the way to the evaluation
area, Brown took a very long drink from the water fountain.
Brown responded to all questions, and was very talkative and kept
moving his feet and hands. When Brown's handcuffs were removed
I noticed that his right wrist was very swollen and red.
His first pulse was 98 BPM. Pupils appeared to be normal,
although Brown kept blinking repeatedly.
Medical
Problems and Treatment:
When asked if he was sick or injured. Brown stated "I'm
a dope addict." In response to a question of any physical
defects Brown stated, "Just the way dope ate me up."
Psychophysical:
Mr. Brown displayed eyelid tremors and Bruxism and swayed during
the Romberg, estimating 25 seconds as 30 secs. During the
Walk and Turn Brown had leg tremors and could not keep balance
during Instructional Stage and missed heel to toe, raised arms,
counted steps of turn, and turned incorrectly during Walking Stage.
Brown was reminded to point his toe, swayed and used his arms
for balance during One Leg Stand. He missed the tip of his
nose on #1 and #5.
Clinical
Indicators: Eyes- continuous
blinking. No onset. HGN, or Vertical Nystagmus. Eyes
were able to converge. Pupil size was below normal in direct
light showing 2.5 mm and normal in other light conditions.
Vital signs- tachycardia (98, 96, 96bpm); Diastolic blood pressure
above normal; temperature was normal.
Signs
of Ingestion: Numerous
puncture wounds on both arms, bruising around puncture wounds,
and a match burn on left arm, right wrist had noticeable swelling
around a puncture wound (photos attached). Blisters on the
back of Brown's tongue.
Suspect's
Statements: Brown stated
he had been using Methamphetamine, 3-4 grams but not within the
last 24 hrs. He stated he could not tell me where he took
the meth, then said "farm field." During the eye exam, Brown
said, "That's one of the problems of being on meth. I'm
subconscious about everything, I do dope."
DRE's
Opinion: In my opinion,
Brown is under the influence of a CNS Stimulant and Narcotic Analgesics.
Toxicological
Sample: Urine obtained
from Brown. Witnessed by Officer Chancellor and myself.
Miscellaneous:
Brown drank approximately 10-12 cups of water and 3-4 cups of
coffee during my contact with him.
Drug Evaluation Narrative
Subject: Hayes, George N.
DRE: R. Crites HPD
Date: 05-30-98 0014 hrs.
Location:
Evaluation conducted at Wichita, Kansas Police Department.
Witnesses:
Officer R. Baker, W.P.D., Evaluator, Officer R. Crites, H.P.D.
Officer J. Queen, Derby P.D., Instructor.
Breath
Alcohol Test: 0.00%
BAC
Notification
and Interview of the Arresting Officer:
At approx. 0014 hrs. we were notified to perform an evaluation
on the above subject.
Initial
Observations of Suspect:
Hayes was cooperative. I did observe Hayes had bloodshot
and watery eyes. Raspy speech. First pulse indicated
tachycardia (94 bpm).
Medical
Problems and Treatment:
Hayes indicated he was HIV positive, and taking several kinds
of medication and under a doctor's care. Lortab, Indinavine,
Stavudine, Didanosine were the medications.
Psychophysical:
Romberg test indicated a normal internal clock 34/30, and a noticeable
sway of 1-2". During the walk and turn, suspect came off
line during instructional stage, missed heel to toe on steps 1,
3, made an improper turn and missed heel to toe on steps 1, 4,
7 and 9 on the return. Hayes also raised his arms and stepped
off line. During the One Leg Stand, Hayes put his arms out
for balance, swayed, hopped, and put his foot down. He did
not complete the right leg test due to an injury. On the
Finger to Nose Test he missed the tip of his nose on step 1,3,
and 6 and had noticeable sway.
Clinical
Indicators: HGN indicated
equal tracking with no lack of smooth pursuit, there was nystagmus
at maximum deviation in the right eye, and angle of onset was
at 45 degrees. There was no vertical nystagmus noted, and
eyes were unable to converge. Pupils were below normal range
in all conditions (2.0 mm-3.0 mm), with little or no reaction
to light. Hippus was noted. Second and third pulse
was at the high side of normal. Blood Pressure and temperature
were both within normal limits.
Signs
of Ingestion: There
was a brown tint on the tongue.
Suspect's
Statements: Hayes stated
he had several hits off a joint at approximately 2330 hrs that
evening. This was in addition to the prescription medications
he was taking.
DRE's
Opinion: Based on my
experience and Hayes' statements, it is my opinion the suspect
was experiencing the effects of cannabis, and narcotic analgesics,
causing an overlap effect.
Toxicological
Sample: A urine specimen
was obtained from Hayes and submitted for testing.
Miscellaneous:
Hayes was very unsteady and had ptosis. Made slow movements.
