ASTM E2057-10(2015)

Standard Specifications for Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual Assault Investigations

ABSTRACT
These specifications describe the basic elements of a request for the scientific examination of physical evidence collected in the investigation of a sexual assault. These specifications outline considerations that will facilitate the analysis of sexual assault evidence by a potentially large group of forensic experts. The request for scientific examination of sexual assault evidence should include a completed sexual assault medical/nurse sexual assault examiner/medical examiner evaluation form in accordance with the requirements.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These specifications are designed to ensure that evidence associated with a sexual assault investigation is handled and analyzed in the most useful manner and without wasting evidentiary materials and analytical time or resources, or both.
SCOPE
1.1 These specifications describe the basic elements of a request for the scientific examination of physical evidence collected in the investigation of a sexual assault. These specifications are designed to be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides, and practices associated with sexual assault examinations that are listed in Section 2.  
1.2 These specifications outline considerations that will facilitate the analysis of sexual assault evidence by a potentially large group of forensic experts. These experts can include, but are not limited to, serologists, toxicologists, pathologists, odontologists, latent print examiners, firearm and toolmark examiners, and trace materials analysts. The success of their combined work generally requires a clear understanding of the issues and relationships involved in the case.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2014
• ICS: 13.310 - Protection against crime
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.11 - Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E2057-23 - Standard Specifications for Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual Violence Investigations
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Refers: ASTM E1843-96(2010) - Standard Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2010
• Refers: ASTM E1843-96(2003) - Standard Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996
• Refers: ASTM E1843-96 - Standard Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996

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: E2057 −10 (Reapproved 2015) An American National Standard
Standard Specifications for
Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual
Assault Investigations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2057; 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.
INTRODUCTION
The meaningful analysis of physical evidence recovered in sexual assault investigations requires not
only careful attention to the preservation of easily damaged or degraded biological materials but also
the transmittal of a clear description and explanation of that evidence for the examining scientists/
analysts/criminalists. This description should include the source of, and relationships between,
different evidence items and is sometimes referred to as a “case synopsis.” The more information the
analysts have at their disposal concerning the circumstances of the assault and the relationship(s) of
the victim(s) and suspect(s), the more successful their efforts will be in resolving questions in the
investigation. Failure to adequately document and report this information in the request for scientific
analysis could lead to the application of useless tests of the evidence that may destroy materials better
used in other more meaningful examinations.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These specifications describe the basic elements of a
E1843 Guide for Sexual Violence Investigation,
request for the scientific examination of physical evidence
Examination, and Evidence Collection Protocol
collected in the investigation of a sexual assault. These
specifications are designed to be used in conjunction with other
3. Terminology
specifications, guides, and practices associated with sexual
assault examinations that are listed in Section 2.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these
specifications, see the Compilation of ASTM Standard Defini-
1.2 These specifications outline considerations that will
tions (1990).
facilitate the analysis of sexual assault evidence by a poten-
tially large group of forensic experts. These experts can
4. Summary of Practice
include, but are not limited to, serologists, toxicologists,
4.1 Requests for laboratory analysis should be supported by
pathologists, odontologists, latent print examiners, firearm and
sufficient documentation to allow the laboratory scientist(s) to
toolmark examiners, and trace materials analysts. The success
understand the conditions surrounding the assault and the
of their combined work generally requires a clear understand-
relationship(s) between different items of evidence.
ing of the issues and relationships involved in the case.
4.2 These specifications are to be used in conjunction with
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
Guide E1843.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 These specifications are designed to ensure that evi-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
dence associated with a sexual assault investigation is handled
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and analyzed in the most useful manner and without wasting
evidentiary materials and analytical time or resources, or both.
These specifications are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on
Forensic Sciences and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on
Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015. Published January 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E2057 – 10. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI:10.1520/E2057-10R15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM Internatio
...

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2057 − 10 (Reapproved 2015) An American National Standard
Standard Specifications for
Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual
Assault Investigations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2057; 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.
INTRODUCTION
The meaningful analysis of physical evidence recovered in sexual assault investigations requires not
only careful attention to the preservation of easily damaged or degraded biological materials but also
the transmittal of a clear description and explanation of that evidence for the examining scientists/
analysts/criminalists. This description should include the source of, and relationships between,
different evidence items and is sometimes referred to as a “case synopsis.” The more information the
analysts have at their disposal concerning the circumstances of the assault and the relationship(s) of
the victim(s) and suspect(s), the more successful their efforts will be in resolving questions in the
investigation. Failure to adequately document and report this information in the request for scientific
analysis could lead to the application of useless tests of the evidence that may destroy materials better
used in other more meaningful examinations.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These specifications describe the basic elements of a
E1843 Guide for Sexual Violence Investigation,
request for the scientific examination of physical evidence
Examination, and Evidence Collection Protocol
collected in the investigation of a sexual assault. These
specifications are designed to be used in conjunction with other
3. Terminology
specifications, guides, and practices associated with sexual
assault examinations that are listed in Section 2. 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these
specifications, see the Compilation of ASTM Standard Defini-
1.2 These specifications outline considerations that will
tions (1990).
facilitate the analysis of sexual assault evidence by a poten-
tially large group of forensic experts. These experts can
4. Summary of Practice
include, but are not limited to, serologists, toxicologists,
4.1 Requests for laboratory analysis should be supported by
pathologists, odontologists, latent print examiners, firearm and
sufficient documentation to allow the laboratory scientist(s) to
toolmark examiners, and trace materials analysts. The success
understand the conditions surrounding the assault and the
of their combined work generally requires a clear understand-
relationship(s) between different items of evidence.
ing of the issues and relationships involved in the case.
4.2 These specifications are to be used in conjunction with
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
Guide E1843.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 These specifications are designed to ensure that evi-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
dence associated with a sexual assault investigation is handled
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and analyzed in the most useful manner and without wasting
evidentiary materials and analytical time or resources, or both.
These specifications are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on
Forensic Sciences and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on
Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015. Published January 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E2057 – 10. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI:10.1520/E2057-10R15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
...

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.
Designation: E2057 − 10 E2057 − 10 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Specifications for
Preparation of Laboratory Analysis Requests in Sexual
Assault Investigations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation ;E2057; 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.
INTRODUCTION
The meaningful analysis of physical evidence recovered in sexual assault investigations requires not
only careful attention to the preservation of easily damaged or degraded biological materials but also
the transmittal of a clear description and explanation of that evidence for the examining scientists/
analysts/criminalists. This description should include the source of, and relationships between,
different evidence items and is sometimes referred to as a “case synopsis.” The more information the
analysts have at their disposal concerning the circumstances of the assault and the relationship(s) of
the victim(s) and suspect(s), the more successful their efforts will be in resolving questions in the
investigation. Failure to adequately document and report this information in the request for scientific
analysis could lead to the application of useless tests of the evidence that may destroy materials better
used in other more meaningful examinations.
1. Scope
1.1 These specifications describe the basic elements of a request for the scientific examination of physical evidence collected
in the investigation of a sexual assault. These specifications are designed to be used in conjunction with other specifications, guides,
and practices associated with sexual assault examinations that are listed in Section 2.
1.2 These specifications outline considerations that will facilitate the analysis of sexual assault evidence by a potentially large
group of forensic experts. These experts can include, but are not limited to, serologists, toxicologists, pathologists, odontologists,
latent print examiners, firearm and toolmark examiners, and trace materials analysts. The success of their combined work generally
requires a clear understanding of the issues and relationships involved in the case.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1843 Guide for Sexual Assault Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these specifications, see the Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions (1990).
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Requests for laboratory analysis should be supported by sufficient documentation to allow the laboratory scientist(s) to
understand the conditions surrounding the assault and the relationship(s) between different items of evidence.
4.2 These specifications are to be used in conjunction with Guide E1843.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 These specifications are designed to ensure that evidence associated with a sexual assault investigation is handled and
analyzed in the most useful manner and without wasting evidentiary materials and analytical time or resources, or both.
These specifications are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved April 1, 2010Jan. 1, 2015. Published May 2010January 2015. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20002010 as
E2057 – 00E2057 – 10., which was withdrawn January 2002 and reinstated in April 2010. DOI:10.1520/E2057-10. DOI:10.1520/E2057-10R15.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
...