ASTM E2291-03

Standard Guide for Indentation Examinations (Withdrawn 2012)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
When sheets of paper are in direct or indirect contact with one another, impressions on the top sheet can produce indentations on the sheet(s) below.
This guide establishes procedures for visualizing those indentations.
4.2.1 These procedures are essentially non-destructive; however, pencil writing and single-strike ribbon typing can be partially lifted from the document by EDD. Although this effect can be minimal, adequate documentation of such items should precede EDD.
Paper fiber disturbances caused by erasures or present in torn paper edges may be visualized using this guide.
Electrostatic detection device (EDD) examinations may be useful in developing other types of impressions on paper items (for example, typewritten material, shoeprints and latent prints).
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 indentations.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and comparisons involving visualization and recording of indentations.
1.2 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency of the material available for examination.
1.3 The particular methods employed in a given case will depend upon the nature of the material available for examination.
1.4 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or uncommon examinations.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners for examinations and comparisons involving visualization and recording of indentations.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences, this guide was withdrawn in July 2012 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2003
• Withdrawal Date: 09-Apr-2003
• ICS: 07.140 - Forensic science
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.90 - Executive

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:E2291–03
Standard Guide for
1
Indentation Examinations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2291; 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 3.2.2 electrostatic detection device (EDD), n—an instru-
ment used to visualize paper fiber disturbances (for example,
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by
indentations, erasures, typewritten material/lift off).
forensic document examiners (Guide E444) for examinations
3.2.3 film, n—thin transparent plastic material that covers
and comparisons involving visualization and recording of
the item during an examination using an EDD.
indentations.
3.2.4 indentations, n—latent or visible impressions in paper
1.2 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency
or other media.
of the material available for examination.
3.2.5 indirect contact, n—two sheets of paper, one on top of
1.3 The particular methods employed in a given case will
the other, with one or more intervening sheets.
depend upon the nature of the material available for examina-
3.2.6 lift, n—the product of an EDD examination; a self-
tion.
adhesive plastic sheet adhering to a film that preserves the
1.4 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or
results of an EDD examination.
uncommon examinations.
3.2.7 primary indentations, n—impressions caused by the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
act of writing or other dynamic actions.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.8 secondary impression(s), n—fiber disturbances caused
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
by contact with the embossed side of indentations and not
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
caused by the act of writing.
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
3.2.9 side lighting, n—illumination from a light source that
2. Referenced Documents
is at a low angle of incidence, or even parallel, to the surface
2
of the item. Syn. oblique lighting.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic Document
4. Significance and Use
Examiners
4.1 When sheets of paper are in direct or indirect contact
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
with one another, impressions on the top sheet can produce
E2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques-
indentations on the sheet(s) below.
tioned Documents
4.2 This guide establishes procedures for visualizing those
3. Terminology
indentations.
4.2.1 These procedures are essentially non-destructive;
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms in this guide, refer
however, pencil writing and single-strike ribbon typing can be
to Terminologies E1732 and E2195.
partially lifted from the document by EDD. Although this
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
effect can be minimal, adequate documentation of such items
3.2.1 direct contact, n—two sheets of paper, one on top of
should precede EDD.
the other, with no intervening sheets.
4.3 Paper fiber disturbances caused by erasures or present in
torn paper edges may be visualized using this guide.
4.4 Electrostatic detection device (EDD) examinations may
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
be useful in developing other types of impressions on paper
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.90 on Executive.
items (for example, typewritten material, shoeprints and latent
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published June 2003. DOI: 10.1520/
E2291-03.
prints).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.5 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. field of forensic document examination. By following these
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E2291–03
procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach 7.3 View the item being examined using side lighting that is
an opinion concerning indentations. directedattheitemfromvariousanglesanddirections.Insome
instances, the use of side lighting in a room with subdued light
5. Interferences
may provide better visualization of indentations.
5.1 Certain items submitted for examination may have
7.3.1 Document any indentations observed.
inherent limitations that c
...