ASTM E1492-11

Standard Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Prior to being presented in court, a foundation must be established showing how evidence was collected, who collected the evidence, where it was collected, who has had custody of the evidence, how the evidence has been processed, and when changes of custody have occurred.
If the procedures outlined in this practice are followed, the chain of custody with respect to the evidence while it is in the custody of the forensic laboratory will be protected.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes procedures and techniques for protecting and documenting the integrity of physical evidence with respect to suitability for scientific testing, and admissibility as evidence in criminal or civil litigation.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2011
• ICS: 07.140 - Forensic science
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.11 - Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1492-05 - Standard Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2125-19 - Standard Practice for Microcrystal Testing in Forensic Analysis for Phencyclidine and Its Analogues
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2327-15e1 - Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories Performing Seized-Drug Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2225-23 - Standard Guide for Forensic Examination of Fabrics and Cordage
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2451-21 - Standard Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1843-20 - Standard Guide for Sexual Violence Investigation, Examination, and Evidence Collection Protocol
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2937-18 - Standard Guide for Using Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3234-20 - Standard Practice for Forensic Paint Analysis Training Program
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM F3416-21 - Standard Guide for Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry to Evaluate Synthetic Equine Surface Components
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1388-17 - Standard Practice for Static Headspace Sampling of Vapors from Fire Debris Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3295-23 - Standard Guide for Using Micro X-Ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) in Forensic Polymer Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1588-20 - Standard Practice for Gunshot Residue Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1412-19 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration with Activated Charcoal
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2881-18 - Standard Test Method for Extraction and Derivatization of Vegetable Oils and Fats from Fire Debris and Liquid Samples with Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E3085-17 - Standard Guide for Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011

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: E1492 − 11
Standard Practice for
Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence
1
in a Forensic Science Laboratory
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1492; 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 lected the evidence, where it was collected, who has had
custody of the evidence, how the evidence has been processed,
1.1 This practice describes procedures and techniques for a
and when changes of custody have occurred.
forensic science laboratory to protect and document the integ-
rity of items of physical evidence with respect to suitability for
3.2 Following the procedures outlined in this practice can
scientific testing, and admissibility as evidence in litigation. serve to protect the chain of custody of the evidence while the
evidence is at the forensic laboratory. Refer to Practice E1188
1.2 This practice recommends generally accepted profes-
for chain of custody information and procedures prior to
sional principles and operations, although the facts and issues
submission to the laboratory.
of each situation require consideration, and frequently involve
matters not expressly dealt with herein. Deviations from this
4. Procedure
practice should be based on specific articulable circumstances.
4.1 Receiving and Identifying the Evidence:
1.3 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
4.1.1 When evidence from a particular incident is first
one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace
brought to the laboratory, assign a unique numeric or alphanu-
knowledge, skill or ability acquired through appropriate
meric laboratory case number, and use that case number when
education, training, and experience and should be used in
identifying the submitted evidence as well as all subsequent
conjunction with sound professional judgment.
items of evidence submitted to the laboratory from the same
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
incident or case. Laboratory numbering may adopt similar case
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
numbers to those assigned by field investigators, consistent
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
with Practice E1459.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1.1.1 Record the laboratory case number in a permanent
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
laboratory record along with the following information: sub-
2. Referenced Documents
mitting agency and agency case number, date the case was
2
received at the laboratory, name of the person receiving the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
evidence, and a listing of the items.
E860 Practice for Examining And Preparing Items That Are
4.1.1.2 Identify the person delivering the evidence and
Or May Become Involved In Criminal or Civil Litigation
record that person’s name in the record of the chain of custody
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
when evidence is delivered in person. Document shipping and
tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
receipt information for evidence received through a public
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
carrier.
Documentation
4.1.1.3 Items, or areas of items, that require protection from
3. Significance and Use
loss, cross-transfer or contamination shall be submitted in a
3.1 Prior to being presented in court, a foundation must be sealed condition or sealed immediately upon receipt at the
established showing how evidence was collected, who col- laboratory. When requested, the laboratory staff shall provide
instructions to the submitter in proper methods of packaging
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic evidence.
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplin-
4.1.1.4 A laboratory employee competent to evaluate the
ary Forensic Science Standards.
material shall determine whether improper packaging has
Current edition approved June 1, 2011. Published July 2011. Originally approved
diminishedordestroyedthevalueofthematerialforlaboratory
in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1492 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/
E1492-11.
analysis.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.1.1.5 If an item is submitted to the laboratory that has no
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
apparent value, or diminished value as evidence, then the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. laboratory shall still take the nece
...

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:E1492–05 Designation:E1492–11
Standard Practice for
Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence
1
in a Forensic Science Laboratory
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1492; 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 (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1This practice describes procedures and techniques for protecting and documenting the integrity of items of physical evidence
with respect to suitability for scientific testing, and admissibility as evidence in criminal or civil litigation.
1.1 This practice describes procedures and techniques for a forensic science laboratory to protect and document the integrity
of items of physical evidence with respect to suitability for scientific testing, and admissibility as evidence in litigation.
1.2 This practice recommends generally accepted professional principles and operations, although the facts and issues of each
situation require consideration, and frequently involve matters not expressly dealt with herein. Deviations from this practice should
be based on specific articulable circumstances.
1.3 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace
knowledge, skill or ability acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience and should be used in conjunction with
sound professional judgment.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E860 Practice for Examining And Preparing Items That Are Or May Become Involved In Criminal or Civil Litigation
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Information and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Prior to being presented in court, a foundation must be established showing how evidence was collected, who collected the
evidence, where it was collected, who has had custody of the evidence, how the evidence has been processed, and when changes
of custody have occurred.
3.2If the procedures outlined in this practice are followed, the chain of custody with respect to the evidence while it is in the
custody of the forensic laboratory will be protected.
3.2 Following the procedures outlined in this practice can serve to protect the chain of custody of the evidence while the
evidence is at the forensic laboratory. Refer to Practice E1188 for chain of custody information and procedures prior to submission
to the laboratory.
4. Procedure
4.1 Identifying the EvidenceReceiving and Identifying the Evidence:
4.1.1 When evidence from a particular incident is first brought to the laboratory, assign it a unique numeric or alphanumeric
laboratory case number, and use that case number to identifywhen identifying the submitted evidence and as well as all subsequent
items of evidence submitted to the laboratory from the same incident or case. Laboratory numbering may adopt similar case
numbers to those assigned by field investigators, consistent with Practice E1459.
4.1.1.1Record case numbers in a permanent laboratory record along with the following information: case number, date the case
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11 on Interdisciplinary
Forensic Science Standards.
Current edition approved July 15, 2005. Published August 2005. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E1492–92(99). DOI:
10.1520/E1492-05.
Current edition approved June 1, 2011. Published July 2011. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1492 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/E1492-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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