ASTM E3295-23

Standard Guide for Using Micro X-Ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) in Forensic Polymer Examinations

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.  
1.5 The fundamental aspects of the composition and manufacture of polymeric materials or theory of X-ray fluorescence can be found in various texts (7-18).  
1.6 This standard is intended for use by competent forensic science practitioners with the requisite formal education, discipline-specific training (see Practices E2917, E3233, E3234), and demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic casework.  
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.8 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.  
1.9 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2023
• ICS: 07.140 - Forensic science
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.01 - Criminalistics

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: E3295 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Using Micro X-Ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) in Forensic
1
Polymer Examinations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3295; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-XRF) is one technique in an analytical scheme that can
provide information regarding potential relationships between the sources of polymeric materials.
1. Scope 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This guide covers recommended techniques and proce-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
dures intended for use by forensic laboratory personnel that
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
perform μ-XRF analysis of polymer samples.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This guide describes various techniques and procedures
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
used in the μ-XRF analysis of polymers that include sample
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
handling and preparation, instrument operating conditions, and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
spectral data collection, evaluation and interpretation.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.3 This guide describes the application of μ-XRF systems mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
equipped with either mono- or poly- capillary optics and an
energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS).
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 This guide is intended to be applied within the scope of
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a broader analytical scheme (for example, Guide E1610, Guide
E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Tech-
2
E3260) for the forensic analysis of a polymer sample (1-6). A
nical Experts
μ-XRF analysis can provide additional information regarding
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
the potential relationships between the sources of polymeric
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
materials.
E1610 Guide for Forensic Paint Analysis and Comparison
1.5 The fundamental aspects of the composition and manu-
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
facture of polymeric materials or theory of X-ray fluorescence
E2917 Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training,
can be found in various texts (7-18).
Continuing Education, and Professional Development
Programs
1.6 This standard is intended for use by competent forensic
E2926 Test Method for Forensic Comparison of Glass Using
science practitioners with the requisite formal education,
Micro X-ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) Spectrometry
discipline-specific training (see Practices E2917, E3233,
E3233 Practice for Forensic Tape Analysis Training Program
E3234), and demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic
E3234 Practice for Forensic Paint Analysis Training Pro-
casework.
gram
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
E3260 Guide for Forensic Examination and Comparison of
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Pressure Sensitive Tapes
standard.
4
2.2 SWGMAT Documents:
SWGMAT Trace Evidence Recovery Guidelines
SWGMAT Trace Evidence Quality Assurance Guidelines
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
3
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 2022. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as E3295 – 22. DOI: contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
10.1520/E3295-23. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of the ASTM website.
4
this standard. Available from https://www.asteetrace.org/subtrace.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E3295 − 23
5
2.3 ISO Standard: 3.2.9 KLM reference lines, n—the energies associated with
ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory Competence the transitions of th
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E3295 − 22 E3295 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Using Micro X-Ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) in Forensic
1
Polymer Examinations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3295; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-XRF) is one technique in an analytical scheme that can
provide information regarding potential relationships between the sources of polymeric materials.
1. 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)
2
for the forensic analysis of a polymer sample (1-6). A μ-XRF analysis can provide additional information regarding the potential
relationships between the sources of polymeric materials.
1.5 The fundamental aspects of the composition and manufacture of polymeric materials or theory of X-ray fluorescence can be
found in various texts (7-18).
1.6 This standard is intended for use by competent forensic science practitioners with the requisite formal education,
discipline-specific training (see Practices E2917, E3233, E3234), and demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic casework.
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.8 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
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2022Aug. 1, 2023. Published February 2023August 2023. Originally approved in 2022. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as
E3295 – 22. DOI: 10.1520/E3295-22.10.1520/E3295-23.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E3295 − 23
1.9 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Technical Experts
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
E1610 Guide for Forensic Paint Analysis and Comparison
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E2917 Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs
E2926 Test Method for Forensic Comparison of Glass Using Micro X-ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) Spectrometry
E3233 Practice for Forensic Tape Analysis Training Program
E3234 Practice for Forensic Paint Analysis Training Program
E3260 Guide for Forensic Examination and Comparison of Pressure Sensitive Tapes
4
2.2 SWGMAT Documents:
SWGMAT Trace Evidence Recovery Guidelines
SWGMAT Trace Evidence Quality Assurance Guidelines
5
2.3 ISO Standard:
ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory Competence
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The terms defined relate specifically to μ-XRF as described in this document. For additional terms commonly
employed for general forensic examinations, see Terminology E1732.
3.2 Definitions:
3.2
...