The DRE Protocol is a 12-part examination that drug recognition experts use to determine:
- If a suspect is impaired.
- If impairment is due to drugs or a medical condition.
- If impairment is due to drugs, which category of drugs.
Step 1: Breath Alcohol Test
- To determine whether alcohol may be contributing to any observed impairment.
Step 2: Interview of Arresting Officer
Step 3: Preliminary Examination
- Systematically assessing the subject’s appearance, behavior, medical questions. Initial estimation of pupil size, tracking, and first pulse.
Step 4: HGN, VGN, LOC
Step 5: Divided Attention Tests
- Roberg Balance, Walk and Turn, One Leg Stand, Finger to Nose.
Step 6: Vitals Signs
- Second pulse, blood pressure and body temperature.
Step 7: Darkroom Examination
- DRE will measure the subject’s pupils and pupillary reaction to light.
Step 8: Muscle Tone
Step 9: Examination for injection sites
Step 10: Interview/ Statements
- At this time the DRE will ask the subject questions regarding the drug category he believes is causing the impairment.
