ASTM E2290-03

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: 09-Apr-2003
• ICS: 07.140 - Forensic science
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E2290-07 - Standard Guide for Examination of Handwritten Items
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2007

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E2290–03
Standard Guide for
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 3.2.1 known, n/adj——of established origin associated with
the matter under investigation. E 1732
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by
3.2.2 questioned, n/adj——associated with the matter under
forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and
investigation about which there is some question, including,
comparisons involving handwritten items and related proce-
but not limited to, whether the questioned and known items
dures.
have a common origin. E 1732
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina-
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tion and comparison is of questioned and known items or of
3.3.1 absent character, n—a character or character combi-
exclusively questioned items.
nationwhichispresentinonebodyofwritingbutisnotpresent
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency
(for example, does not have a corresponding character) in
of the material (questioned, or known, or both) available for
another body of writing.
examination.
3.3.2 character, n—any language symbol (for example,
1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will
letter, numeral, punctuation mark, or other sign), other symbol,
depend upon the nature of the material available for examina-
or ornament.
tion.
3.3.3 characteristic, n—a feature, quality, attribute, or prop-
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or
erty of writing.
uncommon examinations of handwritten items.
3.3.4 comparable, n/adj——pertaining to handwritten items
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
that contain the same type(s) of writing and similar characters,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
words, and combinations. Contemporaneousness and writing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
instruments may also be factors.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.3.5 distorted writing, n—writing that does not appear to
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
be, but may be natural. This appearance can be due to either
2. Referenced Documents voluntary factors (for example, disguise, simulation) or invol-
untary factors (for example, physical condition of the writer,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
writing conditions).
E 444 GuideforDescriptionsofScopesofWorkRelatingto
3.3.6 handwritten item, n—an item bearing something writ-
Forensic Sciences for Questioned Document Area
ten by hand (for example, cursive writing, hand printing,
E 1658 Terminology for Expressing Conclusions of Foren-
signatures).
sic Document Examiners
E 1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
NOTE 1—As used in this standard “handwriting” and “handwritten” are
E 2195 Standard Terminology Relating to Examination Of
generic terms. Writing is generally, but not invariably, produced using the
hand, and may be the result of some other form of direct manipulation of
Questioned Documents
a writing or marking instrument by an individual.
3. Terminology
3.3.7 individualizing characteristics, n—marks or proper-
3.1 For definitions of terms in this guide, refer to Termi-
ties that serve to uniquely characterize writing.
nologies E 1732 and E 2195.
3.3.7.1 Discussion—Both class characteristics (marks or
3.2 Definitions:
properties that associate individuals as members of a group)
and individual characteristics (marks or properties that differ-
entiate the individual members in a group) are individualizing
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
characteristics.
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.02 on Questioned
3.3.8 item, n—an object or quantity of material on which a
Documents.
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published June 2003.
set of observations can be made.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2290–03
3.3.9 natural writing, n—any specimen of writing executed handled appropriately to avoid compromising subsequent ex-
without an attempt to control or alter its usual quality of aminations (for example, with clean cloth gloves).
execution. 5.4 Consideration should be given to the possibility that
3.3.10 range of variation, n—the accumulation of devia- various forms of simulations, imitations, and duplications of
tions among repetitions of respective handwriting characteris- handwriting can be generated by computer and other means.
ticsthataredemonstratedinthewritinghabitsofanindividual.
6. Equipment and Requirements
(See variation, 3.3.15).
6.1 Appropriate light source(s) of sufficient intensity to
3.3.11 significant difference, n—an individualizing charac-
allow fine detail to be distinguished.
teristic that is structurally divergent between handwritten
items, that is outside the range of variation of the writer, and
NOTE 3—Natural light, incandescent or fluorescent sources, or fiber
that cannot be reasonably explained.
optic lighting systems are generally utilized. Transmitted lighting, side
3.3.12 significant similarity, n—an individualizing charac- lighting, and vertical incident lighting have been found useful in a variety
of situations.
teristic in common between two or more handwritten items.
3.3.13 suffıcient quantity, n—that amount of writing re-
6.2 Magnification sufficient to allow fine detail to be distin-
quired to assess the writer’s range of variation, based on the
guished.
writing examined.
6.3 Other apparatus as appropriate.
3.3.14 type of writing, n—refers to hand printing, cursive
6.4 Imaging or other equipment for recording observations
writing, numerals, symbols, or combinations thereof, and
as required.
signatures.
6.5 Sufficient time and facilities to complete all applicable
3.3.15 variation, n—those deviations among repetitions of
procedures.
the same handwriting characteristic(s) that are normally dem-
7. Procedure
onstrated in the habits of each writer.
3.3.15.1 Discussion—Since variation is an integral part of
7.1 All procedures shall be performed when applicable and
natural writing, no two writings of the same material by the
noted when appropriate. These procedures need not be per-
same writer are identical in every detail. Within a writer’s
formed in the order given.
range of variation, there are handwriting habits and patterns
7.2 Examinations,relevantobservations,andresultsshallbe
that are repetitive and similar in nature. These repetitive
documented.
features give handwriting a distinctive individuality for exami-
7.3 At various points in these procedures, a determination
nation purposes.Variation can be influenced by internal factors
that a particular feature is not present or that an item is lacking
such as illness, medication, intentional distortion, etc. and
in quality or comparability may indicate that the examiner
external factors such as writing conditions and writing instru-
should discontinue or limit the procedure(s). It is at the
ment, etc.
discretion of the examiner to discontinue the procedure at that
point and report accordingly or to continue with the applicable
4. Significance and Use
procedures to the extent possible. The reasons for such a
4.1 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the
decision shall be documented.
generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the
7.4 Determine whether the examination is a comparison of
field of forensic document examination. By following these
questioned writing to known writing or a comparison of
procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach
questioned writing to questioned writing.
an opinion concerning whether two or more handwritten items
7.5 Determine whether the questioned writing is original
were written by the same person(s).
writing. If it is not original writing, request the original.
NOTE 2—The phrase “written by the same person(s)” refers to physical
NOTE 4—Examination of the original questioned writing is preferable.
generation of the writing, not to intellectual ownership of the content.
7.5.1 If the original is not submitted, evaluate the quality of
5. Interferences
the best available reproduction to determine whether the
5.1 Items submitted for examination may have inherent significant details of the writing have been reproduced with
limitations that can interfere with the procedures in this Guide. sufficient clarity for comparison purposes and proceed to the
Limitations should be noted and recorded. extent possible. If the writing has not been reproduced with
5.2 Limitations can be due to submission o
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