ASTM E678-07(2013)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Evaluation of Scientific or Technical Data (Withdrawn 2022)
Standard Practice for Evaluation of Scientific or Technical Data (Withdrawn 2022)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 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.
3.2 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 E1188 for guidance pertaining to the actual collection of information and physical evidence, and Practice E1020 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 justifiable, if compliance with this standard is claimed. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances.
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.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
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.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences, this practice was withdrawn in January 2022 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.
General Information
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:E678 −07 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Practice for
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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 tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
1.1 This practice establishes criteria for evaluating scientific
3. Significance and Use
and technical data, and other relevant considerations, which
constitute acceptable bases for forming scientific or technical
3.1 Persons engaged in forensic investigations are respon-
expert opinions.
sible for identifying significant data. They then analyze and
correlate the data and report conclusions and opinions. These
1.2 This practice recommends generally acceptable profes-
opinions should be supported by the data, reported in a form
sional practice, although the facts and issues of each situation
that is understandable to a layman familiar with the incident,
require specific consideration, and may involve matters not
and capable of being evaluated by knowledgeable scientists,
expressly dealt with herein. Deviations from this practice are
engineers, or investigators.
not necessarily wrong or inferior, but should be documented
and justifiable, if compliance with this standard is claimed. Not
3.2 This practice is intended to serve as a guideline for the
all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circum-
scientific or technical expert in conducting an investigation,
stances.
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
E1020 for guidance regarding the initial
evidence, and Practice
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
2. Referenced Documents considered. The definition should include: (1) the allegation(s)
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made, (2) the scientific or technical issues being addressed, (3)
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
each hypothesis and criterion to known incident data
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic 4.1.2.2 Address the relative scientific or technical merits of
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplin-
alternate hypotheses supported by the available data.
ary Forensic Science Standards.
4.1.3 Evaluation Techniques:
Current edition approved March 1, 2013. Published March 2013. Originally
4.1.3.1 Prepare and maintain a logical and traceable record
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E678 – 07. DOI:
10.1520/E0678-07R13.
of analysis and deduction. The evaluation should be quantified
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
to the extent feasible, but should not assume greater precision
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
than is warranted by the quality of the available data. Numeri-
Standards volume information, refer to the stand
...
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