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ASTM E2288-03

(Guide)

Standard Guide for Physical Match of Paper Cuts, Tears, and Perforations in Forensic Document Examinations

Standard Guide for Physical Match of Paper Cuts, Tears, and Perforations in Forensic Document Examinations

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide is intended for, but may not be limited to, physical match examinations of paper items. The physical matching or realignment of items of evidence may occur in two or three dimensions.
The procedures outlined here are grounded in the generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the field of forensic document examination. By following these procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach an opinion concerning whether or not two or more paper fragments were at one time parts of a single piece of paper.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and comparisons to determine whether or not two or more paper fragments were at one time joined to form a single piece of paper.
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examination(s) and comparison(s) is of questioned and known items or of exclusively questioned items.
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency of the material available for examination.
1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will depend upon the nature sufficiency of the material available for examination.
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or uncommon examinations.
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-Mar-2003
ICS
07.140 - Forensic science
Technical Committee
E30 - Forensic Sciences
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Replaced By
ASTM E2288-09 - Standard Guide for Physical Match of Paper Cuts, Tears, and Perforations in Forensic Document Examinations (Withdrawn 2018)
Effective Date
01-Mar-2009

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ASTM E2288-03 - Standard Guide for Physical Match of Paper Cuts, Tears, and Perforations in Forensic Document ExaminationsASTM E2288-03 - Standard Guide for Physical Match of Paper Cuts, Tears, and Perforations in Forensic Document Examinations
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ASTM E2288-03 - Standard Guide for Physical Match of Paper Cuts, Tears, and Perforations in Forensic Document Examinations
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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:E2288–03
Standard Guide for
Physical Match of Paper Cuts, Tears, and Perforations in
Forensic Document Examinations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2288; 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. Significance and Use
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by 4.1 This guide is intended for, but may not be limited to,
forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and physical match examinations of paper items. The physical
comparisons to determine whether or not two or more paper matchingorrealignmentofitemsofevidencemayoccurintwo
fragments were at one time joined to form a single piece of or three dimensions.
paper. 4.2 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina- generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the
tion(s) and comparison(s) is of questioned and known items or field of forensic document examination. By following these
of exclusively questioned items. procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency an opinion concerning whether or not two or more paper
of the material available for examination. fragments were at one time parts of a single piece of paper.
1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will
5. Interferences
depend upon the nature sufficiency of the material available for
examination. 5.1 Items submitted for examination may have inherent
limitations that can interfere with the procedures in this guide.
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or
uncommon examinations. Limitations should be noted and recorded.
5.2 Limitations can be due to limited quantity, or compara-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the bility, or condition of the items submitted for examination.The
condition of a paper sample may make it unsuitable for some
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
types of examinations (for example, items that are water
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use. soaked, stained, soiled, charred, or finely shredded paper).Such
features are taken into account in this guide.
2. Referenced Documents
5.3 The results of prior storage, handling, testing, or chemi-
2.1 ASTM Standards: cal processing (for example, for latent prints) may interfere
E 444 GuideforDescriptionsofScopesofWorkRelatingto with the ability of the examiner to see certain characteristics.
Forensic Document Examiners Whenever possible, document examinations should be con-
E 1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science ducted prior to any chemical processing. Items should be
E 2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques- handled appropriately to avoid compromising subsequent ex-
tioned Documents aminations (for example, with clean gloves).
5.4 In the absence of individual characteristics, it may only
3. Terminology
be possible to demonstrate an association between two or more
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms in this guide, refer items through the commonality of class characteristics.
to Terminology E 1732 and Terminology E 2195.
6. Equipment and Requirements
6.1 Appropriate light source(s) of sufficient intensity to
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic allow fine detail to be distinguished.
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.02 on Questioned
NOTE 1—Natural light, incandescent or fluorescent sources, or fiber
Documents.
optic lighting systems are generally utilized. Transmitted lighting, side
Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published April 2003.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. lighting, and vertical incident lighting have been found useful.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2288–03
6.2 Mag
...

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4.1 This practice separately outlines criteria and implementation approaches for the training, continuing education, and professional development of forensic science practitioners. The use of this practice can help establish training programs designed to achieve competency in targeted disciplines. The standard also describes measures to maintain competency through continuing education/professional development.  
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4.3.1 This practice does not address proficiency testing programs or specific requirements of professional certification and licensure bodies, although the foundational requirements addressed may be essential elements for such programs.  
4.3.2 This practice is not intended to supersede requirements from professional certification and licensure bodies.
4.3.2.1 Licensing and certifying bodies in a number of fields typically impose continuing education and professional development requirements on their license or certificate holders. Such requirements are intended to encourage professionals to expand their knowledge base and keep abreast of new developments. Depending on the field, these requirements might be satisfied through internal training; completion of college, university, or extension coursework; or through attendance at conferences and seminars. Individuals in such positions should obtain and document their on-going training and development as required by their licensing or certifying body.
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1.1 This practice provides foundational requirements for the training, continuing education, and professional development of forensic science practitioners to include training criteria toward competency, documentation, implementation of training, and continuous professional development. This information is intended for forensic science service providers to help establish a training framework with program structure and content; for forensic science practitioners as they acquire and maintain their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs); for subject matter experts when developing discipline specific training practices; and for training programs to manage and support the continuous development of their employees.  
1.2 This practice outlines minimum training criteria and provides general information, approaches, and resources for all disciplines. The standard would complement additional specific requirements for each forensic science discipline (for example, relevant degree programs, higher education) if developed by subject matter experts in their respective fields. Discipline specific training programs should address the content and means for developing and testing competency for each applicable topic identified in Practice E2917.  
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SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is useful for the determination of elemental concentrations in the range of approximately 0.1 µgg-1 to 10 percent (%) (See Table X1.1) in soda-lime glass samples (7 and 8). A standard test method can aid in the interchange of data between laboratories and in the creation and use of glass databases.  
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4.1 The design and configuration of an audio laboratory, as well as the maintenance of equipment, are factors that must be considered to ensure an optimal environment to produce the best results. This guide is intended to provide general guidance for laboratory setup and maintenance.  
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5.1 The overarching goals of the forensic analysis of geological materials include (A) identification of an unknown material (see 11.3), (B) analysis of soils, sediments, or rocks to restrict their possible geographic origins as part of a provenance analysis (see 11.4), and (C) comparison of two or more samples to assess if they could have originated from the same source or to exclude a common source based on observation of exclusionary differences (see 11.5). XRD is only one analytical method that can be applied to the evidentiary samples in service of these distinct goals. Guidance for the analysis of forensic geological materials can be found in Refs (2-4).  
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4.1 A training program provides the theoretical foundation and practical skills necessary for a trainee to become a qualified forensic hair examiner.  
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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.  
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SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 µ-XRF is a nondestructive qualitative elemental analysis technique used for polymers. It involves excitation of a sample by an X-ray source resulting in the emission of characteristic X-rays detected using an energy dispersive X-ray detector. Results are displayed simultaneously as a spectrum of intensity as a function of energy for elements of atomic number 11 or greater.  
4.2 µ-XRF enables the determination of the elemental composition of a specimen and can be utilized for comparisons of components of polymeric materials (for example, tape backings, tape adhesives, paint layers).  
4.3 Comparisons of X-ray spectra acquired from polymer samples are conducted for source discrimination or potential association.  
4.4 Quantitative processes for µ-XRF analysis are available but are not used for polymer analyses because of the lack of prepared polymer standard reference samples.  
4.5 In general, information available from a heterogeneous specimen diminishes as its size is reduced or its condition degrades, which lessens its likelihood of being representative of the source material.  
4.6 µ-XRF data collected from polymers is limited to specific information (for example, elements detected, relative elemental abundance); additional analytical procedures are required to further characterize and identify the chemical composition of the polymer sample.  
4.7 Limitations of µ-XRF include the inability to detect some elements in trace concentrations, the inability to analyze individual particles, the potential interference related to the penetration depth of the beam relative to the sample thickness, the inability to resolve the peaks of some elements (for example, Ba Lα / Ti Kα), and the potential for discoloration of some materials due to exposure to radiation.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers recommended techniques and procedures intended for use by forensic laboratory personnel that perform µ-XRF analysis of polymer samples.  
1.2 This guide describes various techniques and procedures used in the µ-XRF analysis of polymers that include sample handling and preparation, instrument operating conditions, and spectral data collection, evaluation and interpretation.  
1.3 This guide describes the application of µ-XRF systems equipped with either mono- or poly- capillary optics and an energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS).  
1.4 This guide is intended to be applied within the scope of a broader analytical scheme (for example, Guide E1610, Guide E3260) for the forensic analysis of a polymer sample (1-6).2 A µ-XRF analysis can provide additional information regarding the potential relationships between the sources of polymeric materials.  
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Standard Practice for Use of Color in the Visual Examination and Forensic Comparison of Soil Samples

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4.1 Color is an easily observable characteristic of soils and is integral to the taxonomic classifications of soils (6-8); factors including parent material, hydrology, vegetation, and extent of soil weathering, can affect soil color, making color a valuable diagnostic tool for forensic examination purposes.  
4.2 Soil color is sufficiently variable among soils to be used for differentiation of many soils in forensic examinations (9, 10) (see Section 6 for the test method for color determination and comparison criteria) as determined by visual characterization in the Munsell color system.  
4.3 Instrumental techniques are suitable for color determination of soil evidence but are not covered within this practice.  
4.4 Color determinations of soil samples are also used within soil provenance assessments to provide investigative leads or aid in searches. Interpretation of soil color for soil provenance is case-specific and beyond the scope of this practice, but the methods of color determination (6.5.1 to 6.5.2) and documentation (6.7) described here should be applied to soil color within soil provenance cases.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers visual color determination of soil/geologic material within the context of a forensic examination and is intended for use by laboratory personnel.  
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1.2 Units—Units in the Munsell color system are used throughout this document.  
1.3 This practice 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.  
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5.1 This guide is designed to assist an examiner in the selection of appropriate sample preparation methods for the analysis, comparison, and identification of fibers using IR spectroscopy. IR spectroscopy can provide additional compositional information than is obtained using polarized light microscopy alone. The extent to which IR spectral comparison is conducted will vary with specific sample and case evaluations.  
5.2 IR analysis should follow visible and fluorescence comparison microscopy, polarized light microscopy, and ultraviolet (UV)/visible spectroscopy. If no exclusionary differences are noted between the known and unknown samples in optical properties, then proceed to IR spectroscopy as the next step in the analytical scheme, as applicable.  
Note 1: IR analysis generally follows the aforementioned techniques since sample preparation (for example, flattening) irreversibly changes fiber morphology.  
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1.1 Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a valuable method of fiber polymer identification and comparison in forensic examinations. The use of IR microscopes, coupled with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, has greatly simplified the IR analysis of single fibers, thus making the technique feasible for routine use in the forensic laboratory. This guide provides basic recommendations and information about IR spectrometers and accessories, with an emphasis on sampling techniques specific to fiber examinations. The particular method(s) employed by each examiner or laboratory will depend upon available equipment, examiner training, sample suitability, and sample size.  
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1.3 If polymer identification is not readily apparent from optical data alone, an additional method of analysis, such as microchemical tests, melting point, IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, or pyrolysis gas chromatography, should be used. An advantage of IR spectroscopy is that the instrumentation is readily available in most forensic laboratories and the technique is minimally destructive.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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, health, and environmental practice...

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ASTM
ASTM E2227-23e1(Guide)
Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Dyes in Textile Fibers by Thin-Layer Chromatography

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 TLC is an inexpensive and simple technique that could be used to complement other analytical techniques within a general analytical scheme related to forensic fiber examination.  
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.  
5.3 The extraction procedures carried out prior to TLC analysis can provide useful information about dye classification. TLC can provide qualitative information about dye components. Similar colors made up of different dye components can be differentiated using this technique. The application of TLC may serve to discriminate between fibers or it may support the possibility of fibers sharing a common source.  
5.4 TLC can be prohibitively difficult or undesirable in some circumstances. Short lengths of fibers or pale-colored fibers can lack adequate amounts of colorant necessary to be examined by TLC. Dye extraction from some fibers can be impossible (2, 3). Some fiber types do not truly extract, but change or lose color. Reactive dyes are covalently bonded to the fiber and typically cannot be removed by conventional extraction methods, but can be released from cotton and wool by disrupting the fiber by enzymatic or chemical digestion, respectively (1). The desire to preserve evidence from deleterious change or for possible analysis by another examiner can preclude removing the color or employing a destructive method for analysis.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended as an overview of the Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) of fiber colorants (or individual dye components) present in dyed fibers. It is intended to be applied within the scope of a broader analytical scheme for the forensic analysis of fiber samples. TLC could provide information that cannot be obtained through other color analyses (such as microspectrophotometry (MSP)) (1).2  
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 (see Practice E3255).  
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.

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