Opinion ID: 890211
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Expert Testimony on the HGN Test

Text: ¶ 8 Prior to trial, the State gave notice that it intended to call Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Tim Proctor (Trooper Proctor) to testify as an expert regarding the correlation between alcohol consumption and nystagmus in the human eye, i.e. the scientific basis of the HGN test. Bollman objected to Trooper Proctor being designated as an expert, and also filed a motion in limine to exclude evidence of the administration and results of the HGN test unless the State produced a qualified expert. ¶ 9 On the first day of Bollman's trial, the District Court held a hearing to determine whether Trooper Proctor was qualified to testify as an expert witness. The jury was not present for the hearing. Trooper Proctor testified, and was cross-examined by Bollman's trial counsel. After the hearing, the District Court made the following findings: [a]s an initial starting point this witness is not required to be a medical professional. Trooper Proctor's qualifications include an associate's degree in criminal justice with introductory courses in both anatomy and biology. He attended the law enforcement academy with 40 hours of basic HGN testing. He re-certifies yearly and has done so for the last four to five years. He's completed an advanced traffic course, which is required of all patrolmen, at the State Law Enforcement Academy. He has completed an Advanced Roadside Impaired Drivers course, which is a two-day course. He has successfully completed the drug recognition course, which included a two-day 16-hour ability to administer HGN, and then 1.5 weeks, or one-and-a-half weeks of classroom in which there was four hoursfour hours taught as to the scientific basis for HGN by a doctor of ophthalmology,[ [1] ] is what was testified to. He then wouldhad a field certification, three days in Arizona, which included HGN, and a final exam of four to six hours. When he completed that course he then took the Prosecution of Drunk Drivers course, which also had a four-hour HGN component taught by the doctor of ophthalmology,[ [2] ] which both of these four hours went to the scientific basis of HGN. He's further testified that he has the ability to explain and will explain the concept and scientific basis of nystagmus and the correlation to alcohol consumption and nystagmus, to include natural nystagmus. Finally, he's been previously qualified in Flathead County Justice Court. Considering those findings, a review of the existing case law, and at least the credentials of the people that have been approved to do this, the Court does find that Trooper Proctor is qualified to testify to the result of the test that was given to the Defendant. ¶ 10 Trooper Proctor testified at trial to the same qualifications. The District Court then found him qualified as an expert regarding the scientific basis of the HGN test. He then testified about what horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) is, how the HGN test is administered, the correlation between alcohol and HGN, and the correlation between exhibiting 4 or more (of 6) indicators on the HGN test and the subject's approximate blood alcohol content. Trooper Proctor did point out that the result of the HGN test is not, itself alone, an indicator that a person is intoxicated. He said: the determination for a person's impairment level should be based on the totality of the circumstances. There should be a reason that we're asking that person to submit to standardized field sobriety tests, something that we've seen that's aroused our suspicion. And it'sthe standardized field sobriety tests are a battery of three tests, not any one of which is a stand-alone test.