ASTM E3392-24
(Guide)Standard Guide for Forensic Physical Fit Examination
Standard Guide for Forensic Physical Fit Examination
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This guide can assist the examiner in selecting and organizing a general analytical scheme for the evaluation and documentation of physical comparisons of materials for a potential physical fit. The type and size of material influences the exact steps and equipment needed to assess the physical fit. Evaluation, documentation, and interpretation are all important parts of a physical fit examination.
5.2 This guide addresses special considerations for physical fit analysis for glass, skeletal material, polymers, tapes and textiles.
5.3 Foundations of physical fit examination in forensic science are described in the literature, including studies on the fractography of different materials and the use of physical fit examinations in forensic casework (1-12).
5.4 It is not the intention of this guide to present comprehensive theories regarding the mechanism of fractures, tearing, cutting, or other methods of separation. This information is available from training courses and reference materials such as Practice C1256 and others (3-7, 13).
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the forensic physical fit examinations for the macroscopical and microscopical examinations of broken, torn, or separated materials for the purpose of determining whether or not they were once joined together to form a single object. This guide is intended as an overview of the process for the physical fit examination of these materials and to assist individuals in the evaluation and documentation of their physical comparisons.
1.2 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.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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
Relations
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: E3392 − 24
Standard Guide for
1
Forensic Physical Fit Examination
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3392; 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 E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
1.1 This guide covers the forensic physical fit examinations
E1610 Guide for Forensic Paint Analysis and Comparison
for the macroscopical and microscopical examinations of
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
broken, torn, or separated materials for the purpose of deter-
E2225 Guide for Forensic Examination of Fabrics and Cord-
mining whether or not they were once joined together to form
age
a single object. This guide is intended as an overview of the
E2917 Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training,
process for the physical fit examination of these materials and
Continuing Education, and Professional Development
to assist individuals in the evaluation and documentation of
Programs
their physical comparisons.
E3260 Guide for Forensic Examination and Comparison of
1.2 This standard is intended for use by competent forensic
Pressure Sensitive Tapes
science practitioners with the requisite formal education,
2.2 Other Documents:
discipline-specific training (see Practice E2917), and demon-
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Requirements for the Compe-
strated proficiency to perform forensic casework.
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tence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
OSAC 2022-S-0029 Standard Guide for Interpretation and
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standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Reporting in Forensic Comparisons of Trace Materials
standard.
3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions—For additional terms commonly employed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
for general forensic examinations see Terminology E1732, and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
for fractography see Practice C1256.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.1 arrest lines, n—a sharp line on the fracture surface
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
defining the crack front shape of an arrested or momentarily-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
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hesitated crack. (1)
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.2 fractography, n—the means and methods for charac-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
terizing fractured specimens or compounds. (1)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2.3 individual characteristics, n—the attribute(s) that es-
2. Referenced Documents
tablish(es) a single source.
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3.2.3.1 Discussion—Other terms used include random acci-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
dental characteristics, randomly acquired characteristics, and
C1256 Practice for Interpreting Glass Fracture Surface Fea-
distinguishing characteristics.
tures
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related 3.2.4 physical fit, n—an association based upon the realign-
Documentation ment of two or more items that demonstrate they were once
joined together to form a single object.
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
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Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics. Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2024. Published January 2024. DOI: 10.1520/ Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
E3392-24. Switzerland, https://www.iso.org.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
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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.
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