What type of test is used for an observational assessment of suspected intoxication?

The appropriate answer is the sobriety assessment. This type of test is designed for the observational assessment of suspected intoxication, where officers evaluate a person's physical and cognitive abilities to determine whether they are impaired, typically due to alcohol or drugs. It involves various tasks that examine balance, coordination, and cognitive function, allowing officers to gauge the level of impairment based on the subject's responses and performance during the assessment.

The term "sobriety assessment" encompasses a range of evaluations that officers may conduct, which include observing behaviors and reactions that indicate the degree of impairment. This assessment is crucial because it's often used as an initial evaluation before further testing, such as breath or blood tests.

Other options have specific applications that differ from the observational focus. For example, a field sobriety check often refers to a standardized set of tests implemented on-site to assess impairment but is generally categorized under a more formal process than an observational assessment. Initial breath analysis is a device-based test that quantitatively measures blood alcohol concentration, making it less about visual observation and more about numerical analysis. Passive alcohol screening typically uses equipment to detect the presence of alcohol in the air, serving as a preliminary tool rather than a comprehensive observation of one's abilities.