ASTM E1732-12

Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These terms have particular application to the forensic sciences. In addition, a hierarchy of sources of definitions were used in the development of this terminology. The hierarchy is as follows: Websters New Collegiate 7th Dictionary; technical dictionaries; and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions. The subcommittee developed a suitable definition after all of the sources in the hierarchy were found wanting.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a compilation of terms and corresponding definitions used in the forensic sciences. Legal or scientific terms that are generally understood or defined adequately in other readily available sources may not be included.
1.2 A definition is a single sentence with additional information included in a Discussion. It is reviewed every five years, and the year of last review or revision is appended.
1.3 Definitions identical to those published by another standards organization or ASTM committee are identified with the abbreviation of the name of the organization or the identifying document and ASTM committee; for example, ASME is the American Society of Mechanical Engineering.  
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are identified with an abbreviation.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jun-2012
• ICS: 01.040.11 - Health care technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 11.020 - Medical sciences and health care facilities in general
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.92 - Terminology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1732-11b - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Replaced By: ASTM E1732-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Referred By: ASTM E3197-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Examination of Fire Debris
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E3189-19 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Static Headspace Concentration onto an Adsorbent Tube
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1969-19 - Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Methamphetamine and Amphetamine
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E2227-23e1 - Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Dyes in Textile Fibers by Thin-Layer Chromatography
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1386-23 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E2548-16 - Standard Guide for Sampling Seized Drugs for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E2825-21 - Standard Guide for Forensic Digital Image Processing
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1968-19 - Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Cocaine
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E3295-23 - Standard Guide for Using Micro X-Ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) in Forensic Polymer Examinations
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E860-22 - Standard Practice for Examining and Preparing Items That Are or May Become Involved in Criminal or Civil Litigation
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E3260-21 - Standard Guide for Forensic Examination and Comparison of Pressure Sensitive Tapes
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E3296-22 - Standard Guide for Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Polymer Examinations
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E3235-21 - Standard Practice for Latent Print Evidence Imaging Resolution
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2012

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: E1732 − 12
Standard Terminology
1
Relating to Forensic Science
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1732; 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.
6
1. Scope 2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 3534:1993 (E/F) Statistics—Vocabulary and Symbols
1.1 This is a compilation of terms and corresponding
Part 1: Probability and General Statistical Terms
definitions used in the forensic sciences. Legal or scientific
Part 2: Statistical Quality Control
terms that are generally understood or defined adequately in
ISO 9000:2005 (E) Standard Quality Management
other readily available sources may not be included.
Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary
1.2 A definition is a single sentence with additional infor-
ISO Guide 2 General Terms and Their Definitions Relating
mation included in a Discussion. It is reviewed every five
to Standardizing Activities
years, and the year of last review or revision is appended.
ISO Guide 30 Terms and Definitions Used in Connection
with Reference Materials
1.3 Definitions identical to those published by another
standards organization orASTM committee are identified with ISO Guide 35 Reference Materials—General and Statistical
Principles for Certification
the abbreviation of the name of the organization or the
identifying document and ASTM committee; for example, ISO GUM Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Mea-
2
surement (GUM)
ASME is the American Society of Mechanical Engineering.
2.3 Other Sources:
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are
3
EURACHEM The Fitness for Purpose of Analytical
identified with an abbreviation.
Methods, EURACHEM Working Group, English Edition
2. Referenced Documents
IAAI Glossary Glossary of Terms Related to Chemical and
4
Instrumental Analysis of Fire Debris, IAAI Forensic
2.1 ASTM Standards:
7
Science Committee
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
IUPAC Terminology IUPAC Compendium of Chemical
ASTM Test Methods
Terminology, Second Edition, 1997
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E1187 Terminology Relating to Conformity Assessment
3. Significance and Use
5
(Withdrawn 2006)
E1301 Guide for Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory 3.1 These terms have particular application to the forensic
5
sciences. In addition, a hierarchy of sources of definitions were
Comparisons (Withdrawn 2012)
E1402 Guide for Sampling Design used in the development of this terminology. The hierarchy is
as follows: Websters New Collegiate 7th Dictionary; technical
E2161 Terminology Relating to Performance Validation in
Thermal Analysis dictionaries; and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Defini-
8
tions. The subcommittee developed a suitable definition after
all of the sources in the hierarchy were found wanting.
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on
Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.92 on
4. Terminology
Terminology.
Current edition approved June 15, 2012. Published July 2012. Originally
4.1 Definitions:
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E1732 – 11b. DOI:
accelerant, n—any material used to initiate or promote the
10.1520/E1732-12.
2
Any definition that is unsourced has been developed by ASTM Subcommittee
spread of a fire. The most common accelerants are flam-
E30.92.
mable or combustible liquids. Whether a substance is an
3
Abbreviations are as follows: CRIM = criminalistics, QD = questioned
documents, ENGR = engineering, TOX = toxicology, PB = pathology/biology,
ANTH = anthropology, and ODEN = odentology.
4 6
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
7
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.
the ASTM website. (IAAI), 2111 BaldwinAvenue, Suite 203, Crofton, MD 21114, http://firearson.com.
5 8
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on ASTM Committee on Terminology, Compilation of ASTM Standard
www.astm.org. Definitions, 7th ed., Philadelphia, PA: ASTM, 1990.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1732 − 12
accelerant depends not on its chemical structure but on its encompass a large fraction of the distributi
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E1732–11b Designation:E1732–12
Standard Terminology
1
Relating to Forensic Science
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1732; 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
1.1 This is a compilation of terms and corresponding definitions used in the forensic sciences. Legal or scientific terms that are
generally understood or defined adequately in other readily available sources may not be included.
1.2 A definition is a single sentence with additional information included in a Discussion. It is reviewed every five years, and
the year of last review or revision is appended.
1.3 Definitions identical to those published by another standards organization or ASTM committee are identified with the
abbreviation of the name of the organization or the identifying document and ASTM committee; for example, ASME is the
2
American Society of Mechanical Engineering.
3
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are identified with an abbreviation.
2. Referenced Documents
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E1187 Terminology Relating to Conformity Assessment
E1301 Guide for Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory Comparisons
E1402 Guide for Sampling Design
E2161 Terminology Relating to Performance Validation in Thermal Analysis
5
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 3534:1993 (E/F) Statistics—Vocabulary and Symbols
Part 1: Probability and General Statistical Terms
Part 2: Statistical Quality Control
ISO 9000:2005 (E) Standard Quality Management Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary
ISO Guide 2 General Terms and Their Definitions Relating to Standardizing Activities
ISO Guide 30 Terms and Definitions Used in Connection with Reference Materials
ISO Guide 35 Reference Materials—General and Statistical Principles for Certification
ISO GUM Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM)
2.3 Other Sources:
EURACHEM The Fitness for Purpose of Analytical Methods, EURACHEM Working Group, English Edition
IAAI Glossary Glossary of Terms Related to Chemical and Instrumental Analysis of Fire Debris, IAAI Forensic Science
6
Committee
IUPAC Terminology IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, Second Edition, 1997
3. Significance and Use
3.1 These terms have particular application to the forensic sciences. In addition, a hierarchy of sources of definitions were used
in the development of this terminology. The hierarchy is as follows: Websters New Collegiate 7th Dictionary; technical
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.92 on Terminology.
Current edition approved Oct.June 15, 2011.2012. Published October 2011.July 2012. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as
E1732 – 11ab. DOI: 10.1520/E1732-11B.10.1520/E1732-12.
2
Any definition that is unsourced has been developed by ASTM Subcommittee E30.92.
3
Abbreviations are as follows: CRIM = criminalistics, QD = questioned documents, ENGR = engineering, TOX = toxicology, PB = pathology/biology, ANTH = anthro-
pology, and ODEN = odentology.
4
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
5
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
6
Available from the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. (IAAI), 2111 Baldwin Avenue, Suite 203, Crofton, MD 21114, http://firearson.com.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1732–12
7
dictionaries; and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions. The subcommittee developed a suitable definition after all of the
sources in the hierarchy were found wanting.
7
ASTM Committee on Terminology, Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions, 7th ed., Philadelphia, PA: ASTM, 1990.
2

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E1732–12
4. Terminology
4.1 Definitions
...