ASTM E860-22

Standard Practice for Examining and Preparing Items That Are or May Become Involved in Criminal or Civil Litigation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice establishes procedures to be followed by the forensic science practitioner to document the nature, state, or condition of items of evidence. It also describes specific actions that are required for destructive testing if planned testing, examination, disassembly, or other actions are likely to alter the nature, state, or condition of the evidence so as to preclude or adversely limit additional examination or testing.  
4.2 Deviations from this practice are not necessarily wrong or inferior, but such deviations should be justified and documented.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the examination and testing of evidence items or systems that may have been involved in a specific incident which are, or may be reasonably expected to be, the subject of civil or criminal litigation.  
1.2 This practice is applicable when it is determined that examination or testing of evidence is required, and such examination is likely to change the nature, state, or condition of the evidence.  
1.3 This practice is intended for use by competent forensic science practitioners with the requisite formal education, discipline-specific training (see Practice E2917), and demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic casework.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2022
• ICS: 03.120.20 - Product and company certification. Conformity assessment
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.11 - Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E860 − 22 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Examining and Preparing Items That Are or May Become
1
Involved in Criminal or Civil Litigation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E860; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
E1413 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the examination and
from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Con-
testing of evidence items or systems that may have been
centration onto an Adsorbent Tube
involved in a specific incident which are, or may be reasonably
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
expected to be, the subject of civil or criminal litigation.
Documentation
1.2 This practice is applicable when it is determined that
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
examination or testing of evidence is required, and such
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
examination is likely to change the nature, state, or condition of
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
the evidence.
E2917 Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training,
1.3 This practice is intended for use by competent forensic
Continuing Education, and Professional Development
science practitioners with the requisite formal education, Programs
discipline-specific training (see Practice E2917), and demon-
strated proficiency to perform forensic casework.
3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
practice, refer to Terminology E1732.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.1 destructive testing, n—testing, examination, re-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
examination, disassembly, or other actions likely to alter the
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
original, as-found nature, state, or condition of items of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the evidence so as to preclude or adversely affect additional
examination and testing.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.2 spoliation of evidence, n—the loss, destruction, or
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
material alteration of an object or document that is evidence or
potential evidence in a legal proceeding by one who has the
2. Referenced Documents
responsibility for its preservation.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Spoliation of evidence may occur when
E1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents that May Involve
3
the movement, change, or destruction of evidence, or alteration
Criminal or Civil Litigation (Withdrawn 2022)
of the scene significantly impairs the opportunity of other
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
interested parties to obtain the same evidentiary value from the
evidence as did any prior investigator.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplinary
4. Significance and Use
Forensic Science Standards.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2022. Published June 2023. Originally
4.1 This practice establishes procedures to be followed by
ε2
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E860 – 07 (2013) .
the forensic science practitioner to document the nature, state,
DOI: 10.1520/E0860-22.
2
or condition of items of evidence. It also describes specific
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
actions that are required for destructive testing if planned
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
testing, examination, disassembly, or other actions are likely to
the ASTM website.
3
alter the nature, state, or condition of the evidence so as to
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. preclude or adversely limit additional examination or testing.
Copyright © AS
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´2
Designation: E860 − 07 (Reapproved 2013) E860 − 22 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Examining Andand Preparing Items That Are Oror May
1
Become Involved Inin Criminal or Civil Litigation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E860; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Editorial corrections were made to 5.4 in March 2014.
2
ε NOTE—Editorial corrections were made to 5.4.2 in October 2017.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice sets forth guidelines covers procedures for the examination and testing of actualevidence items or systems
(hereinafter termed evidence) that may have been involved in a specific incident that arewhich are, or may be reasonably expected
to be, the subject of civil or criminal litigation. This practice is intended to become applicable when it is determined that
examination or testing of evidence is required, and such examination is likely to change the nature, state or condition of the
evidence.
1.2 This practice recommends generally acceptable professional practice, although the facts and issues of each situation may
require specific considerations not expressly addressed herein. Deviations from this practice are not necessarily wrong or inferior,
but such deviations should be justified and documented. is applicable when it is determined that examination or testing of evidence
is required, and such examination is likely to change the nature, state, or condition of the evidence.
1.3 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education, training, or experience is intended for use by competent forensic science practitioners with the requisite formal
education, discipline-specific training (see Practice E2917and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all
aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances.), and demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic casework.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
E1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents that May Involve Criminal or Civil Litigation (Withdrawn 2022)
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplinary Forensic
Science Standards.
Current edition approved June 1, 2013Sept. 1, 2022. Published July 2013June 2023. Originally approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 20072013 as
ε2
E860 – 07.E860 – 07 (2013) . DOI: 10.1520/E0860-07R13E02.10.1520/E0860-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E860 − 22
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Information and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
E1413 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Concentration
onto an Adsorbent Tube
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E1843E2917 Guide for Sexual Violence Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection ProtocolPractice for Forensic
Science Practitioner Training, C
...