ASTM E1732-11

Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These terms have particular application to the forensic sciences. In addition, a hierarchy of sources of definitions were used in the development of this terminology. The hierarchy is as follows: Websters New Collegiate 7th Dictionary; technical dictionaries; and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions. The subcommittee developed a suitable definition after all of the sources in the hierarchy were found wanting.
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 a Discussion. 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

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2011
• ICS: 01.040.07 - Natural and applied sciences (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 01.040.11 - Health care technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 07.140 - Forensic science
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.92 - Terminology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1732-09 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM E1732-11a - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3253-21 - Standard Practice for Establishing an Examination Scheme for Intact Explosives
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2124-20 - Standard Specification for Equipment and Supplies in Sexual Violence Investigations
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2125-19 - Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Phencyclidine and Its Analogues
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3260-21 - Standard Guide for Forensic Examination and Comparison of Pressure Sensitive Tapes
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2327-15e1 - Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories Performing Seized-Drug Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2451-21 - Standard Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3150-18 - Standard Guide for Forensic Audio Laboratory Setup and Maintenance
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2825-21 - Standard Guide for Forensic Digital Image Processing
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3295-23 - Standard Guide for Using Micro X-Ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) in Forensic Polymer Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3329-21e1 - Standard Practice for Establishing an Examination Scheme for Explosive Residues
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1968-19 - Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Cocaine
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3245-20e1 - Standard Guide for Systematic Approach to the Extraction, Analysis, and Classification of Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire Debris Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3189-19 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Static Headspace Concentration onto an Adsorbent Tube
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-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:E1732–11
Standard Terminology
1
Relating to Forensic Science
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1732; 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 E1402 Guide for Sampling Design
5
2.2 ISO Standards:
1.1 This is a compilation of terms and corresponding
ISO 3534:1993 (E/F) Statistics—Vocabulary and Symbols
definitions used in the forensic sciences. Legal or scientific
Part 1: Probability and General Statistical Terms
terms that are generally understood or defined adequately in
Part 2: Statistical Quality Control
other readily available sources may not be included.
ISO 8402:1994 Quality Management and Quality
1.2 A definition is a single sentence with additional infor-
Assurance—Vocabulary
mation included in a Discussion. It is reviewed every five
ISO 9000:2000 (E) Standard Quality Management
years, and the year of last review or revision is appended.
Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary
1.3 Definitions identical to those published by another
ISO 9000:2005 (E) Standard Quality Management
standards organization orASTM committee are identified with
Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary
the abbreviation of the name of the organization or the
ISO Guide 2 General Terms and Their Definitions Relating
identifying document and ASTM committee; for example,
2
to Standardizing Activities
ASME is the American Society of Mechanical Engineering.
ISO Guide 30 Terms and Definitions Used in Connection
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are
3
with Reference Materials
identified with an abbreviation.
ISO GUM Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in
2. Referenced Documents
Measurement (GUM)
4
ISO VIM International Vocabulary of Basic and General
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Terms in Metrology (VIM)
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
2.3 Other Sources:
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
EURACHEM The Fitness for Purpose of Analytical Meth-
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ods, EURACHEM Working Group, English Edition
ASTM Test Methods
IAAI Glossary Glossary of Terms Related to Chemical and
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
Instrumental Analysis of Fire Debris, IAAI Forensic
E1301 Guide for Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory
6
Science Committee
Comparisons
IUPAC Terminology IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Ter-
minology, Second Edition, 1997
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on
Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.92 on
3. Significance and Use
Terminology.
3.1 These terms have particular application to the forensic
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved
in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1732 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/
sciences. In addition, a hierarchy of sources of definitions were
E1732-11.
used in the development of this terminology. The hierarchy is
2
Any definition that is unsourced has been developed by ASTM Subcommittee
as follows: Websters New Collegiate 7th Dictionary; technical
E30.92.
3
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 Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
6
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.
the ASTM website. (IAAI), 2111 BaldwinAvenue, Suite 203, Crofton, MD 21114, http://firearson.com.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E1732–11
dictionaries; and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Defini- class, n—a group, set or kind marked by common attributes or
7 8
tions. The subcommittee developed a suitable definition after a common attribute. Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary
all of the sources in the hierarchy were found wanting. class characteristic(s), n—the attribute(s) that establish mem-
bership in a class.
4. Terminology
classification, n—the systematic arrangement of persons or
4.1 Definitions: objects into categories (groups or classes) based on shared
9
traits or characteristics. Osterburg and Ward, p. 835
accelerant, n—any material used to initiat
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E1732–09 Designation:E1732–11
Standard Terminology
1
Relating to Forensic Science
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1732; 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 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 Adefinition is a single sentence with additional information included in notes.a Discussion. 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
2
American Society of Mechanical Engineering.
3
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are identified with an abbreviation.
2. Referenced Documents
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics E1187Terminology Relating to Conformity Assessment
E1301 Guide for Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory Comparisons
E1387Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography 1402 Guide
for Sampling Design
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.92 on Terminology.
Current edition approved July 15, 2009. Published October 2009. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1732–96a(2005). DOI:
10.1520/E1732-09.
Current edition approved June 1, 2011. Published July 2011. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1732 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/E1732-11.
2
Any definition that is unsourced has been developed by ASTM Subcommittee E30.92.
3
Abbreviations are as follows: CRIM = criminalistics, QD = questioned documents, ENGR = engineering, TOX = toxicology, PB = pathology/biology, ANTH = anthro-
pology, and ODEN = odentology.
4
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1732–11
5
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 3534:1993 (E/F) Statistics—Vocabulary and Symbols
Part 1: Probability and General Statistical Terms
Part 2: Statistical Quality Control
ISO 8402:1994 Quality Management and Quality Assurance—Vocabulary
ISO 9000:2000 (E) Standard Quality Management Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary
ISO 9000:2005 (E) Standard Quality Management Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary
ISO Guide 2 General Terms and Their Definitions Relating to Standardizing Activities
ISO Guide 30 Terms and Definitions Used in Connection with Reference Materials ISOGuide17025 General Requirements for
the Competence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories
ISOStandard3534:1993(E/F) Statistics – Vocabulary and Symbols Part 1: Probability and General Statistical Terms Part 2:
Statistical Quality Control
ISO9000:2000 (E) Standard Quality management systems—Fundamentals and vocabulary International Vocabulary of Basic
and General Terms in Metrology (VIM), ISO
ISO GUM Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM)
ISO VIM International Vocabulary of Basic and General Terms in Metrology (VIM)
2.3 Other Sources:
The Fitness for Purpose of Analytical Methods English Edition, EURACHEM Working Group. IUPAC Compendium of
Chemical Terminology second edition (1997),. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Glossary of Terms and
Definitions, Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG); reviewed 2005
EURACHEM The Fitness for Purpose of Analytical Methods, EURACHEM Working Group, English Edition
IAAI Glossary Glossary of Terms Related to Chemical and Instrum
...