ASTM E620-97

Standard Practice for Reporting Opinions of Technical Experts

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the scope of information to be contained in written technical reports that express opinions about the adequacy or inadequacy of products that are or may reasonably be expected to be the subject of litigation.  
1.2 For additional standards promulgated by ASTM Committee E-03.40 on Technical Aspects of Products Liability Litigation, see Practices E678, E860, E1020, and E1188 and Terminology E1138.  
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-1997
• ICS: 03.160 - Law. Administration
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.11 - Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E620-04 - Standard Practice foReporting Opinions of Scientific or Technical Experts
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2004
• Referred By: ASTM E2809-22 - Standard Guide for Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) in Forensic Polymer Examinations
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3329-21e1 - Standard Practice for Establishing an Examination Scheme for Explosive Residues
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3175-22 - Standard Practice for Training in the Forensic Examination of Hair by Microscopy
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2227-23e1 - Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Dyes in Textile Fibers by Thin-Layer Chromatography
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2998-16 - Standard Practice for Characterization and Classification of Smokeless Powder
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2228-23a - Standard Guide for Microscopical Examination of Textile Fibers
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM G145-08(2023) - Standard Guide for Studying Fire Incidents in Oxygen Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D3415-98(2017) - Standard Practice for Identification of Waterborne Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3309-21 - Standard Guide for Reporting of Forensic Primer Gunshot Residue (pGSR) Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (SEM/EDS)
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3254-23 - Standard Practice for Use of Color in the Visual Examination and Forensic Comparison of Soil Samples
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3294-22 - Standard Guide for Forensic Analysis of Geological Materials by Powder X-Ray Diffraction
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D7297-21 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Residential Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3255-21 - Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Forensic Science Service Providers Performing Forensic Chemical Analysis
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2999-17 - Standard Test Method for Analysis of Organic Compounds in Smokeless Powder by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997

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: E 620 – 97
Standard Practice for
Reporting Opinions of Technical Experts
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 620; 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 4.1.2 Identifying number and date the report was prepared,
4.1.3 Name, address, and affiliation of each person who has
1.1 This practice covers the scope of information to be
rendered an opinion contained in the report,
contained in formal written technical reports which express the
4.1.4 Name of the person or organization, or both, request-
opinions of the technical expert with respect to the study of
ing the report (optional at the discretion of the expert),
items that are or may reasonably be expected to be the subject
4.1.5 Generic description of the item(s) examined together
of litigation.
with specific data to uniquely identify the item(s) such as a
1.2 For additional standards promulgated by ASTM Com-
serial number, marking, or some other means of adequately
mittee E-30 on Forensic Sciences, see Practices E 678, E 860,
identifying the item(s) examined,
E 1020, and E 1188.
4.1.6 Date and location of examination,
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
4.1.7 The scope of investigative activities performed in
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
preparation for reaching conclusions and opinions.
address all of the safety concerns associated with its use. It is
4.2 Pertinent Facts:
the responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and
4.2.1 The report shall contain all facts that are pertinent to
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
the opinion rendered and shall be reported in accordance with
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the classifications set forth in 4.2.1.1 and 4.2.1.2.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2.1.1 Identify those facts which are based on the observa-
tions by the expert of the item(s) in question or photographs
2.1 ASTM Standards:
thereof, and other item(s) which is (are) similar thereto.
E 678 Practice for Evaluation of Technical Data
4.2.1.2 Identify other facts based on the observations by the
E 860 Practice for Examining and Testing Items that Are or
expert, and other facts and information that the expert relies
May Become Involved in Litigation
upon in rendering an opinion.
E 1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents
4.2.2 Whenever pertinent findings of fact are established
E 1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
through examination or testing, the person(s) rendering the
tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
opinion based on such findings shall have either supervised,
3. Significance and Use
conducted, participated in or observed such examination or
testing, and failing to do any one of them shall list the name
3.1 This practice establishes those elements of the expert’s
and business address of each person who supervised or
opinion report which will make the report self-teaching and
conducted each examination or test establishing such findings
focus on the technical aspects germane to the purpose for
of fact.
which the opinion is rendered.
4.3 Opinions and Conclusions:
4. Report Content
4.3.1 The report shall contain all of the techni
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