Standard Guide for Collection of Soils and Other Geological Evidence for Criminal Forensic Applications

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide describes good practices for the collection (5), packaging, and preservation (8.3) of soils in criminal forensic investigations. Some of the information in this guide is demonstrated in its companion video, which is available on-line and is intended as a complementary resource to this guide (6).  
4.2 Individual agencies can use this guide to develop agency-specific procedures regarding the collection of soils for forensic applications.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides guidance to instruct crime scene professionals in good practices for the documentation, collection, and preservation of soil and other geological evidence for use in criminal investigations. Sampling for environmental geology is outside of its scope. It is designed as a resource for professionals whose job responsibilities include the collection and preservation of soil evidence and for forensic scientists to enable them to advise crime scene investigators.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 This standard is intended for use by competent forensic science practitioners with the requisite formal education, discipline-specific training (see Practice E2917), and demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic casework.  
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
Published
Publication Date
31-Aug-2023
Current Stage
Ref Project

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Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: E3272 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Collection of Soils and Other Geological Evidence for
1
Criminal Forensic Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3272; 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 Using Wipe Sampling Methods for Subsequent Determi-
nation of Metals
1.1 This standard provides guidance to instruct crime scene
D7296 Practice for Collection of Settled Dust Samples
professionals in good practices for the documentation,
Using Dry Wipe Sampling Methods for Subsequent De-
collection, and preservation of soil and other geological evi-
termination of Beryllium and Compounds
dence for use in criminal investigations. Sampling for environ-
D7144 Practice for Collection of Surface Dust by Micro-
mental geology is outside of its scope. It is designed as a
vacuum Sampling for Subsequent Determination of Met-
resource for professionals whose job responsibilities include
als and Metalloids
the collection and preservation of soil evidence and for forensic
D5755 Test Method for Microvacuum Sampling and Indirect
scientists to enable them to advise crime scene investigators.
Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Microscopy
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
for Asbestos Structure Number Surface Loading (With-
3
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
drawn 2023)
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
D5756 Test Method for Microvacuum Sampling and Indirect
Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Microscopy
1.3 This standard is intended for use by competent forensic
3
science practitioners with the requisite formal education, for Asbestos Mass Surface Loading (Withdrawn 2017)
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
discipline-specific training (see Practice E2917), and demon-
strated proficiency to perform forensic casework. tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Documentation
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E2917 Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Continuing Education, and Professional Development
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Programs
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3. Terminology
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.1.1 aggregate(s) [clump(s)], n—a group of soil particles
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. that cohere to each other more strongly than to other surround-
ing particles.
4
2. Referenced Documents (1)
2 3.1.1.1 Discussion—Soil aggregates can be natural (a ped)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
or formed by human activities (a clod). Often the genesis of
D6966 Practice for Collection of Settled Dust Samples
evidentiary soil aggregates is unknown, so aggregate is often a
preferred term in descriptions of soil evidence.
3.1.2 alibi location(s), n—a known location suggested or
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
linked to a subject (for example, a subject’s home) that is
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplin-
ary Forensic Science Standards. distinct from the crime scene.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally
approved in 2021. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as E3272 – 21. DOI:
10.1520/E3272-23.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
4
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
...

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: E3272 − 21 E3272 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Collection of Soils and Other Geological Evidence for
1
Criminal Forensic Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3272; 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 provides guidance to instruct crime scene professionals in good practices for the documentation, collection, and
preservation of soil and other geological evidence for use in criminal investigations. Sampling for environmental geology is outside
of its scope. It is designed as a resource for professionals whose job responsibilities include the collection and preservation of soil
evidence and for forensic scientists to enable them to advise crime scene investigators.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through education, training, and experience (Practiceis
intended for use by competent forensic science practitioners with the requisite formal education, discipline-specific training (see
Practice E2917), and is to be used in conjunction with professional judgment by individuals with such discipline-specific
knowledge, skills, and abilities.demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic casework.
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:
D6966 Practice for Collection of Settled Dust Samples Using Wipe Sampling Methods for Subsequent Determination of Metals
D7296 Practice for Collection of Settled Dust Samples Using Dry Wipe Sampling Methods for Subsequent Determination of
Beryllium and Compounds
D7144 Practice for Collection of Surface Dust by Micro-vacuum Sampling for Subsequent Determination of Metals and
Metalloids
D5755 Test Method for Microvacuum Sampling and Indirect Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Microscopy for
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplinary Forensic
Science Standards.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021Sept. 1, 2023. Published April 2021November 2023. Originally approved in 2021. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as
E3272 – 21. DOI: 10.1520/E3272-21.10.1520/E3272-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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 ----------------------
E3272 − 23
3
Asbestos Structure Number Surface Loading (Withdrawn 2023)
D5756 Test Method for Microvacuum Sampling and Indirect Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Microscopy for
3
Asbestos Mass Surface Loading (Withdrawn 2017)
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Information and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E2917 Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 aggregate(s) [clump(s)], n—a group of soil particles that cohere to each other more strongly than to other surrounding
particles.
4
(1)
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
Soil aggregates can be natural (a ped) or formed by human activities (a clod). Ofte
...

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