Standard Practice for Evaluation of Scientific or Technical Data

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Persons engaged in forensic investigations are responsible for identifying significant data. They then analyze and correlate the data and report conclusions and opinions. These opinions should be supported by the data, reported in a form that is understandable to a layman familiar with the incident, and capable of being evaluated by knowledgeable scientists, engineers, or investigators.  
This practice is intended to serve as a guideline for the scientific or technical expert in conducting an investigation, which includes analyzing and evaluating facts. In addition, this practice may assist others in understanding and evaluating the work performed. Refer to Practice E 1188 for guidance pertaining to the actual collection of information and physical evidence, and Practice E 1020 for guidance regarding the initial reporting of the incident.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice establishes criteria for evaluating scientific and technical data, and other relevant considerations, which constitute acceptable bases for forming scientific or technical expert opinions.
1.2 This practice recommends generally acceptable professional practice, although the facts and issues of each situation require specific consideration, and may involve matters not expressly dealt with herein. Deviations from this practice are not necessarily wrong or inferior, but should be documented and justified.
1.3 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
31-Mar-2007
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM E678-07 - Standard Practice for Evaluation of Scientific or Technical Data
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E678 −07
StandardPractice for
1
Evaluation of Scientific or Technical Data
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E678; 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 practice establishes criteria for evaluating scientific 3.1 Persons engaged in forensic investigations are respon-
and technical data, and other relevant considerations, which sible for identifying significant data. They then analyze and
constitute acceptable bases for forming scientific or technical correlate the data and report conclusions and opinions. These
expert opinions. opinions should be supported by the data, reported in a form
that is understandable to a layman familiar with the incident,
1.2 This practice recommends generally acceptable profes-
and capable of being evaluated by knowledgeable scientists,
sional practice, although the facts and issues of each situation
engineers, or investigators.
require specific consideration, and may involve matters not
expressly dealt with herein. Deviations from this practice are 3.2 This practice is intended to serve as a guideline for the
not necessarily wrong or inferior, but should be documented scientific or technical expert in conducting an investigation,
and justified. which includes analyzing and evaluating facts. In addition, this
practice may assist others in understanding and evaluating the
1.3 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
work performed. Refer to Practice E1188 for guidance pertain-
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
ing to the actual collection of information and physical
educationorexperienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwith
evidence, and Practice E1020 for guidance regarding the initial
professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be
reporting of the incident.
applicable in all circumstances.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Evaluation Procedure
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 This section outlines basic principles of evaluation in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
accordance with accepted scientific and engineering practices.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1.1 Define the Problem Being Considered: The definition
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
should include—The expert must first define the problem being
considered. The definition should include: (1) the allegation(s)
2. Referenced Documents
made, (2) the scientific or technical issues being addressed, (3)
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the relationship between the allegation(s) and the scientific or
E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Tech-
technical issue(s), and (4) the relationship(s) between the
nical Experts
scientific or technical issue(s) and the incident(s) to which the
E860 Practice for Examining And Preparing Items That Are
allegations(s) refer.
Or May Become Involved In Criminal or Civil Litigation
4.1.2 Identification and Validity of Hypotheses:
E1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents that May Involve
4.1.2.1 State and, if necessary, explain scientific or technical
Criminal or Civil Litigation
hypotheses and judgmental criteria used in evaluation. Specify
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
the source, scientific and technical basis, and relationship of
tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
each hypothesis and criterion to known incident data
4.1.2.2 Address the relative scientific or technical merits of
alternate hypotheses supported by the available data.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic 4.1.3 Evaluation Techniques:
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplin-
4.1.3.1 Prepare and maintain a logical and traceable record
ary Forensic Science Standards.
of analysis and deduction. The evaluation should be quantified
Current edition approved April 1, 2007. Published June 2007. Originally
to the extent feasible, but should not assume greater precision
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as E678 – 98. DOI:
10.1520/E0678-07.
than is warranted by the quality of the available data. Numeri-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
cal probability estimates are acceptable only when based on
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
sound analytical or statistical principles, and when their con-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summa
...

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