ASTM E2710-11

Standard Guide for Preservation of Charred Documents

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The procedures outlined here are grounded in the generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the field of forensic document examination and related fields. By following these procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably process charred documents to optimize their preservation.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (Guide E444) for the preservation of charred documents.
1.2 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency of the material requiring preservation.
1.3 The particular methods employed in a given case will depend upon the nature of the material available for preservation.
1.4 This guide does not cover all procedures to preserve charred documents. Consultation with a document conservationist, archivist, or related material expert, as well as reference materials, may be necessary.
1.5 This guide does not replace knowledge, skill, ability, experience, education, or training (Guide E2388) and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment.
1.6 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2011
• ICS: 03.160 - Law. Administration
• ICS: 11.020 - Medical sciences and health care facilities in general
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E2710-11e1 - Standard Guide for Preservation of Charred Documents (Withdrawn 2020)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E2710–11
Standard Guide for
Preservation of Charred Documents
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2710; 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 3.1.2 charred documents, n—documents damaged by heat
or fire.
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by
3.1.3 parylene processing, n—the deposition of a clear
forensic document examiners (Guide E444) for the preserva-
polymercoatingonadocument(s)withinavacuumchamberto
tion of charred documents.
strengthen and stabilize the document(s).
1.2 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency
3.1.4 polyester film encapsulation, n—a process whereby a
of the material requiring preservation.
document is sealed between two sheets of polyester film to
1.3 The particular methods employed in a given case will
preserve, stabilize, and facilitate handling.
depend upon the nature of the material available for preserva-
3.1.5 submersion, v—the placement of a document(s) into
tion.
an appropriate liquid to facilitate cleaning, unfolding, or
1.4 This guide does not cover all procedures to preserve
separation of the document(s).
charred documents. Consultation with a document conserva-
tionist,archivist,orrelatedmaterialexpert,aswellasreference
4. Significance and Use
materials, may be necessary.
4.1 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the
1.5 This guide does not replace knowledge, skill, ability,
generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the
experience,education,ortraining(GuideE2388)andshouldbe
field of forensic document examination and related fields. By
used in conjunction with professional judgment.
following these procedures, a forensic document examiner can
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
reliably process charred documents to optimize their preserva-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tion.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Interferences
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Items submitted for examination may have inherent
limitations that interfere with the procedures in this Guide.
2. Referenced Documents
2 Limitations should be noted and recorded.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.2 The results of prior storage, handling, testing, or pro-
E444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic Document
cessing can adversely affect the preservation of the docu-
Examiners
ment(s). The document(s) should be immobilized as soon as
E2388 Guide for Minimum Training Requirements for Fo-
possible to minimize damage prior to its preservation.
rensic Document Examiners
5.3 The extensive time required for some procedures and
3. Terminology the type of procedures chosen can conflict with investigative
needs and other forensic examinations. Coordination with the
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
submitter, experts in other forensic disciplines, and other
3.1.1 bone folder, n—a piece of shaped bone or other
relevant individuals might be warranted.
material, such as plastic or Teflon, typically used by bookbind-
5.4 Takenecessaryprecautionstopreventdisturbanceofthe
erstocreasepaperandtoseparatepiecesofpaperthatarestuck
charred documents by air circulation in the examination area .
together.
6. Equipment and Requirements
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
6.1 Appropriate light source(s) of sufficient intensity to
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.02 on Questioned
allow fine detail to be distinguished.
Documents.
Current edition approved March 1, 2011. Published March 2011. DOI: 10.1520/
NOTE 1—Natural light, incandescent, LED or fluorescent sources, or
E2710-11.
fiber optic lighting systems are genera
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