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ASTM E2290-07

(Guide)

Standard Guide for Examination of Handwritten Items

Standard Guide for Examination of Handwritten Items

SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and comparisons involving handwritten items and related procedures.
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examination and comparison is of questioned and known items or of exclusively questioned items.
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency of the material (questioned, or known, or both) available for examination.
1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will depend upon the nature of the material available for examination.
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or uncommon examinations of handwritten items.
1.6 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 requirements prior to use.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
14-Mar-2007
ICS
07.140 - Forensic science
Technical Committee
E30 - Forensic Sciences
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Replaces
ASTM E2290-03 - Standard Guide for Examination of Handwritten Items
Effective Date
15-Mar-2007
Replaced By
ASTM E2290-07a - Standard Guide for Examination of Handwritten Items (Withdrawn 2016)
Effective Date
15-Mar-2007

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ASTM E2290-07 - Standard Guide for Examination of Handwritten Items
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E2290–07
Standard Guide for
1
Examination of Handwritten Items
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2290; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E 2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques-
tioned Documents
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by
forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and
3. Terminology
comparisons involving handwritten items and related proce-
3.1 For definitions of terms in this guide, refer to Termi-
dures.
nologies E 1732 and E 2195.
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina-
3.2 Definitions:
tion and comparison is of questioned and known items or of
3.2.1 known, n/adj——of established origin associated with
exclusively questioned items.
the matter under investigation. E 1732
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency
3.2.2 questioned, n/adj——associated with the matter under
of the material (questioned, or known, or both) available for
investigation about which there is some question, including,
examination.
but not limited to, whether the questioned and known items
1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will
have a common origin. E 1732
depend upon the nature of the material available for examina-
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tion.
3.3.1 absent character, n—a character or character combi-
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or
nationwhichispresentinonebodyofwritingbutisnotpresent
uncommon examinations of handwritten items.
(for example, does not have a corresponding character) in
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
another body of writing.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3.2 character, n—any language symbol (for example,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
letter, numeral, punctuation mark, or other sign), other symbol,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
or ornament.
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
3.3.3 characteristic, n—a feature, quality, attribute, or prop-
2. Referenced Documents erty of writing.
2 3.3.4 comparable, n/adj——pertaining to handwritten items
2.1 ASTM Standards:
that contain the same type(s) of writing and similar characters,
E 444 Descriptions of Scope of Work Relating to Forensic
words, and combinations. Contemporaneousness and writing
Document Examiners
instruments may also be factors.
E 1658 Terminology for Expressing Conclusions of Foren-
3.3.5 distorted writing, n—writing that does not appear to
sic Document Examiners
be, but may be natural. This appearance can be due to either
E 1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
voluntary factors (for example, disguise, simulation) or invol-
untary factors (for example, physical condition of the writer,
writing conditions).
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
3.3.6 handwritten item, n—an item bearing something writ-
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.02 on Questioned
ten by hand (for example, cursive writing, hand printing,
Documents.
signatures).
Current edition approved March 15, 2007. Published April 2007. Originally
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E 2290 – 03.
2 NOTE 1—As used in this standard “handwriting” and “handwritten” are
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
generic terms. Writing is generally, but not invariably, produced using the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
hand, and may be the result of some other form of direct manipulation of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. a writing or marking instrument by an individual.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2290–07
3.3.7 individualizing characteristics, n—marks or proper- come from the quantity or comparability of the writing
ties that serve to uniquely characterize writing. submitted, and include absent characters, dissimilarities, or
3.3.7.1 Discussion—Both class characteristics (marks or limited individualizing characteristics. Such features are taken
properties that associate individuals as members of a group) into account in this guide.
and individual characteristics (marks or properties that differ- 5.3 The results of prior storage, handling, testing, or chemi-
entiate the individual members in
...

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5.2 Consider the forensic analysis of fiber colorants using TLC for single fiber comparisons only when the sample size is adequate (that is, enough colorant can be extracted for analysis) and it is not possible to discriminate between the fibers of interest using other techniques, such as comparison microscopy and MSP. Larger fibrous units (for example, thread or tuft) can be treated as an individual sample if determined to be homogeneous. Do not treat fibers that cannot be directly related to each other as a collective sample for the purposes of TLC.  
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SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 A microscopical hair examination is conducted to determine if the item is a hair; from a human; from a particular somatic region; characteristic of a broad geographically-assigned ancestral group; characteristic of a particular growth phase; damaged; symptomatic of disease, condition, or disorder; forcibly removed; chemically altered (for example, dyed or bleached); suitable for microscopical comparison; suitable for DNA analysis; and similar to or different from a known sample (4-9).  
4.2 Most often, hairs from the head and pubic regions of the body are used for microscopical comparisons. There is usually more interpersonal variability in the characteristics of head and pubic hairs than in the hairs from other somatic regions. Head hairs usually show more interpersonal variation than pubic hairs. Hairs from other somatic regions may also be compared, but these comparisons are usually limited and less frequently conducted. Accordingly, this guide primarily considers human head and pubic hair comparisons.  
4.3 Microscopical hair comparisons are not a means of individualization (10). This limitation is to be stated in any communication (for example, reports, testimony) when an association is reported.  
4.4 Additional analyses can be performed on hairs that have been chemically altered (for example, dyed hair) or have trace materials on the surface (for example, glitter). Such techniques are beyond the scope of this document.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers procedures used by forensic laboratory personnel in the forensic examination of hair by microscopy, including microscopical comparisons and classification of hair samples.  
1.2 This guide addresses instrument setup, hair collection, sample handling techniques, and the use of various microscopes in the examination and comparison of hair.  
1.3 This guide addresses the benefit of following microscopical examinations with DNA analysis.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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.

  • Guide
    9 pages
    English language
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