ASTM E1732-96a(2005)
(Terminology)Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
SCOPE
1.1 This is a compilation of terms and corresponding definitions used in the forensic sciences. Legal or scientific terms that are generally understood or defined adequately in other readily available sources may not be included.
1.2 A definition is a single sentence with additional information included in notes. It is reviewed every five years, and the year of last review or revision is appended.
1.3 Definitions identical to those published by another standards organization or ASTM committee are identified with the abbreviation of the name of the organization or the identifying document and ASTM committee; for example, ASME is the American Society of Mechanical Engineering.
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are identified with an abbreviation.
General Information
Relations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E1732–96a (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Terminology
Relating to Forensic Science
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1732; 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. Significance and Use
1.1 This is a compilation of terms and corresponding 3.1 These terms have particular application to the forensic
definitions used in the forensic sciences. Legal or scientific sciences. In addition, a hierarchy of sources of definitions were
terms that are generally understood or defined adequately in used in the development of this terminology. The hierarchy is
other readily available sources may not be included. as follows: Websters New Collegiate 7th Dictionary; technical
1.2 A definition is a single sentence with additional infor- dictionaries; and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Defini-
mation included in notes. It is reviewed every five years, and tions. The subcommittee developed a suitable definition after
the year of last review or revision is appended. all of the sources in the hierarchy were found wanting.
1.3 Definitions identical to those published by another
4. Terminology
standards organization orASTM committee are identified with
4.1 Definitions:
the abbreviation of the name of the organization or the
identifying document and ASTM committee; for example,
accelerant, n—any material used to initiate or promote the
ASME is the American Society of Mechanical Engineering.
spread of a fire. The most common accelerants are flam-
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are
mable or combustible liquids. Whether a substance is an
identified with an abbreviation.
accelerant depends not on its chemical structure but on its
use (source: IAAI Forensic Science Committee, Glossary of
2. Referenced Documents
Terms Related to Chemical and Instrumental Analysis of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Fire Debris ) (use: Test Method E 1387) CRIM.
E 456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
accreditation, n—procedure by which an authoritative body
E 1187 Terminology Relating to Conformity Assessment
gives formal recognition that a body or person is competent
E 1301 Guide for Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory
to carry out specific tasks. (ASTM E 1187, ISO guide 2)
Comparisons.
accrediting body, n—governmental or non-governmental
E 1387 Test Method for Flammable or Combustible Liquid
body that conducts and administers a laboratory accredita-
Residues in Extracts from Samples of Fire Debris By Gas
tion system, and grants accreditation. (E 1187, ISO
Chromatography
Guide 2)
2.2 ISO Standards:
associative evidence, n—that evidence which tends to link a
ISO Guide 2, General Terms and Their Definitions Relating
person, place, or thing with another person, place, or thing.
to Standardizing Activities
calibration, n—the set of operations that establishes, under
ISO Guide 30, Terms and Definitions Used in Connection
specified conditions, the relationship between values indi-
with Reference Materials
cated by a measuring instrument or measuring system or
ISO Guide 17025, General Requirements for the Compe-
values represented by a material, and the corresponding
tence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories
known values of measurement. (E 1187, ISO 17025)
certification body, n—a body that conducts certifications of
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on conformity. (E 1187, ISO Guide 2)
Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.92 on
certification of conformity, n—document issued under the
Terminology.
rules of a certification system indicating that adequate
Current edition approved April 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally
e1
confidenceisprovidedthatadulyidentifiedproduct,process
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as E 1732 – 96 .
Any definition that is unsourced has been developed by ASTM Subcommittee
or service is in conformity with a specific standard or other
E30.92.
normative document. (E 1187, ISO Guide 2)
Abbreviations are as follows: CRIM = criminalistics, QD = questioned docu-
ments, ENGR = engineering, TOX = toxicology, PB = pathology/biology,
ANTH = anthropology, and ODEN = odentology.
4 5
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions, 7th Ed.,ASTM, Philadelphia, PA,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 1990.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from International Association of Arson Investigators, 5428 Del
the ASTM website. Maria Way, 201, P. O. Box 91119, Louisvile, KY 40291.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1732–96a (2005)
certified reference material (CRM), n—a reference material, quality management——all activities of the overall manage-
accompanied by a certificate, one or more of whose property ment function that determine the quality policy objectives
values are certified by a procedure that establishes traceabil- and responsibilities, and implement them by means such as
itytoanaccuraterealizationoftheunitinwhichtheproperty quality planning, quality control, quality assurance and
values are expressed, and for which each certified value is quality improvement within the quality system. (E 1187,
accompanied by an uncertainty at a stated level of confi- ISO Guide 2)
dence. (E 1301, ISO Guide 30 without notes) quality management—The responsibility of all levels of
chain of custody, n—procedures and documents that account management but must be led by top management. Its
for the possession of a sample by tracking its handling and implementation involves all members of the organization. In
storage from its point of collection to its final disposition. quality management, consideration is given to economic
class, n—agroup,set,orkindmarkedbycommonattributesor aspects.
a common attribute (source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictio- quality manual, n—a document stating the quality policy,
nary, 1967) (use: Test Method E 1387
...
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