ASTM E2228-19

Standard Guide for Microscopical Examination of Textile Fibers

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Microscopical examination is generally a non-destructive, rapid, and reproducible means of determining the microscopic characteristics, optical properties, and generic polymer type of textile fibers.  
4.2 Point-by-point, side-by-side microscopic comparison provides a highly discriminating and efficient method of determining if two or more fibers can be differentiated.  
4.3 This guideline requires specific pieces of instrumentation outlined herein.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard describes guidelines for microscopical examinations employed in forensic fiber characterization, identification, and comparison. A microscopical fiber examination can include a variety of light microscopes, such as stereomicroscope, polarized light, comparison, fluorescence, and interference. In certain instances, the scanning electron microscope can yield additional information. The particular test(s) or techniques employed by each examiner or laboratory will depend upon available equipment, examiner training, and the nature and extent of the fiber evidence.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through education, training, and experience and is to be used in conjunction with professional judgment by individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2019
• ICS: 37.020 - Optical equipment
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.01 - Criminalistics

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E2228 − 19 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
1
Microscopical Examination of Textile Fibers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2228; 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 D276 Test Methods for Identification of Fibers in Textiles
3
(Withdrawn 2021)
1.1 This standard describes guidelines for microscopical
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
examinations employed in forensic fiber characterization,
Documentation
identification, and comparison. A microscopical fiber examina-
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
tion can include a variety of light microscopes, such as
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
stereomicroscope, polarized light, comparison, fluorescence,
4
2.2 AATCC Standards:
and interference. In certain instances, the scanning electron
AATCC Test Methods 20 Fiber Identification: Qualitative
microscope can yield additional information. The particular
test(s) or techniques employed by each examiner or laboratory
3. Terminology
will depend upon available equipment, examiner training, and
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
the nature and extent of the fiber evidence.
refer to Terminology D123.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2.1 anisotropic, adj—a characteristic of an object in which
standard.
the refractive index differs depending on the direction of
1.3 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or
propagation or vibration of light through the object.
abilities acquired through education, training, and experience 5
(1)
and is to be used in conjunction with professional judgment by
3.2.2 barrier filter, n—a filter used in fluorescence micros-
individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and
copy that suppresses unnecessary excitation energy that has not
abilities.
been absorbed by the fiber and selectively transmits only
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
energy of greater wavelengths than the cut-off wavelength or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
within a specific wavelength range.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.3 Becke line, n—the bright halo near the boundary of a
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
fiber that moves with respect to that boundary as the micro-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
scope is focused through best focus when the fiber is mounted
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
in a medium that differs from its refractive index.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
(1)
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3.2.4 Becke line method, n—a method for determining the
refractive index of a fiber relative to its mountant by noting the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. direction in which the Becke line moves when the focus is
changed.
2. Referenced Documents
(1)
2
3.2.4.1 Discussion—The Becke line always moves toward
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the higher refractive index medium (fiber or mountant) when
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
focus is raised (stage is lowered) and towards the lower
refractive index medium when focus is lowered (stage is
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
3
Current edition approved June 1, 2019. Published July 2019. Originally approved The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E2228 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/ www.astm.org.
4
E2228-19. Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, http://
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM www.aatcc.org.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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...

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: E2228 − 18 E2228 − 19
Standard Guide for
1
Microscopical Examination of Textile Fibers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2228; 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
1.1 This standard describes guidelines for microscopical examinations employed in forensic fiber characterization,
identification, and comparison. A microscopical fiber examination can include a variety of light microscopes, such as
stereomicroscope, polarized light, comparison, fluorescence, and interference. In certain instances, the scanning electron
microscope maycan yield additional information. The particular test(s) or techniques employed by each examiner or laboratory will
depend upon available equipment, examiner training, and the nature and extent of the fiber evidence.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through education, training, and experience and is to
be used in conjunction with professional judgment by individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.
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:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D276 Test Methods for Identification of Fibers in Textiles
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
3
2.2 AATCC Standards:
AATCC Test Methods 20 Fiber Identification: Qualitative
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to Terminology D123.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 anisotropic, adj—a characteristic of an object in which the refractive index differs depending on the direction of
propagation or vibration of light through the object.
4
(1)
3.2.2 barrier filter, n—a filter used in fluorescence microscopy that suppresses unnecessary excitation energy that has not been
absorbed by the fiber and selectively transmits only energy of greater wavelengths than the cut-off wavelength or within a specific
wavelength range.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2018June 1, 2019. Published September 2018July 2019. Originally approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 20102018 as
E2228 – 10.E2228 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/E2228-18.10.1520/E2228-19.
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
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, http://www.aatcc.org.
4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2228 − 19
3.2.3 Becke line, n—the bright halo near the boundary of a fiber that moves with respect to that boundary as the microscope
is focused through best focus when the fiber is mounted in a medium that differs from its refractive index.
(1)
3.2.4 Becke line method, n—a method for determining the refractive index of a fiber relative to its mountant by noting the
direction in which the Becke line moves when the focus is changed.
(
...