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Sleep Deprivation Does Not Mimic Alcohol Intoxication on Field Sobriety Testing *
Author(s) -
Citek Karl,
Elmont Ashlee D.,
Jons Christopher L.,
Krezelok Chad J.,
Neron Joseph D.,
Plummer Timothy A.,
Tannenbaum Timothy
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01813.x
Subject(s) - sobriety , sleep deprivation , alcohol intoxication , wakefulness , medicine , psychology , poison control , blood alcohol , sleep (system call) , driving under the influence , audiology , injury prevention , psychiatry , anesthesia , cognition , medical emergency , electroencephalography , computer science , operating system
Previous research shows that sleep deprivation (SD) produces cognitive impairment similar to that caused by alcohol intoxication. Individual studies suggest that SD also causes deficits in motor skills that could be mistaken for intoxication. Consequently, SD often is used as a defense when an impaired driver is charged with driving while intoxicated. Twenty‐nine adult subjects participated in two test sessions each, one after a full night’s rest and the other after wakefulness of at least 24 h. Subjects consumed prescribed amounts of alcohol during each session. Law enforcement officers conducted field sobriety tests identical to those with which a driver would be assessed at roadside. Researchers also measured clinical responses of visual function and vital signs. The presence and number of validated impairment clues increase with increasing blood alcohol concentration but not with SD. Thus, SD does not affect motor skills in a manner that would lead an officer to conclude that the suspect is intoxicated, unless intoxication also is present.