A Drug Recognition Expert, or DRE, is a police officer trained to determine if a person is driving under the influence of drugs, which isn’t as easy to assess as blood alcohol content (BAC). Here’s what DREs look for and when to get legal help. 

The 12 Steps of DRE Protocol 

Although the DRE protocol has 12 steps, many of them are subjective and aren’t based on fact: 

1. Breath Test 

A breathalyzer test will be administered to determine your BAC, arguably the most accurate of all the steps in the protocol. 

2. Officer Interview 

The DRE expert will interview the law enforcement officer that pulled you over to discuss the circumstances of the stop and the officer’s first impressions. 

3. Initial Exam and Pulse Reading 

An initial exam will be conducted to determine if the reason for the stop was caused by an injury or medical condition. Your pulse will be taken for the first time. 

4. Eye Exam 

The officer will check your eyes for convergence, ability to follow a light or object, the size of your pupils, reaction to light, and if nystagmus is present.  

5. Field Sobriety Testing 

You will be asked to submit to field sobriety tests, including horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk and turn, and one-leg stand. 

6. Second Reading of Vital Signs 

Next, the officer will check your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature for the second time. 

7. Dark Room Exam 

The Drug Recognition Expert will administer tests in a low light environment to check for pupil constriction or dilation and the presence of drugs in the oral or nasal cavities. 

8. Muscle Tone Testing 

Your muscles will be checked for tone, since some drugs cause the constriction or overrelaxation of muscles. 

9. Third Reading of Vital Signs and Physical Exam 

A physical exam will be conducted to look for evidence of drug use, such as injection sites on the arms or in between the fingers. Your pulse will be taken again for the last time. 

10. Officer Observations 

The officer will ask direct questions regarding drug and alcohol use and makes note of any other pertinent observations. 

11. Drug Symptom Analysis 

Next, the evidence obtained during the last several steps will be compared against known side effects of different types of drugs. 

12. Toxicology Exam 

You may also be asked to submit to a blood, urine, or hair follicle test to check for the presence of illegal substances or their metabolites. 

Arrested for DUI? Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Today 

Were you arrested for driving under the influence? Don’t wait to get legal help from an experienced Maryland DUI attorney. Call Britt Criminal Defense at 443-944-5705 for a consultation.