ASTM E2331-04

Standard Guide for Examination of Altered Documents (Withdrawn 2013)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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 a document has been altered.
SCOPE
1.1 This Guide provides procedures for examinations that should be used by forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations involving altered documents.
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examination(s) are of questioned and known items, exclusively questioned items, or a single item.
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 of the material available for examination.
1.5 This Guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or uncommon examinations.
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WITHDRAWN RATIONALE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 for examinations that should be used by forensic document examiners for examinations involving altered documents.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences, this guide was withdrawn in July 2013 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the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• Status: Withdrawn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: 29-Feb-2004
• Withdrawal Date: 09-Jul-2013
• ICS: 01.140.20 - Information sciences
• 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E2331 − 04
StandardGuide for
Examination of Altered Documents
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2331; 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. Terminology
1.1 This Guide provides procedures for examinations that 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms in this guide, refer to Termi-
should be used by forensic document examiners (Guide E444)
nologies E1732 and E2195.
for examinations involving altered documents.
3.2 Definitions:
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina-
3.2.1 alteration, n—a modification made to a document by
tion(s) are of questioned and known items, exclusively ques-
physical, chemical or mechanical means including, but not
tioned items, or a single item.
limited to, obliterations, additions, overwritings, or erasures.
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency
3.2.2 digital image, n—an image that is stored in numerical
of the material available for examination.
form.
1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will
3.2.3 digital image processing, n—any activity that trans-
depend upon the nature of the material available for examina-
forms a digital image.
tion.
3.2.4 electrostatic detection device (EDD), n—an instru-
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or
ment that uses electrostatic charge as the mechanism to
uncommon examinations.
visualize paper fiber disturbances (for example, indentations,
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the erasures, typewritten material/lift off).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.5 erasure, n—the area where material has been removed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
from a document by chemical, abrasive, or other means.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.6 fluorescence, n—a process by which radiant flux of
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
certain wavelengths is absorbed and reradiated non-thermally
at other, usually longer, wavelengths. E1422
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.7 infrared (IR), n—referring to radiant flux having
2.1 ASTM Standards:
wavelengths longer than the wavelengths of light, usually
E444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic Document
wavelengths from about 760 nm to about 3 mm. E1422
Examiners
3.2.8 infrared luminescence (IRL), n—the emission of radi-
E1422 Guide for Test Methods for Forensic Writing Ink
ant energy during a transition from an excited electronic state
Comparison
of an atom, molecule, or ion to a lower electronic state
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
(fluorescence or phosphorescence, or both), where the spec-
E2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques-
trum of the excitation source is in the ultraviolet (UV) or
tioned Documents
visibleregionoftheelectromagneticspectrum,orboth,andthe
E2291 Guide for Indentation Examinations (Withdrawn
3 spectrum of the emitted energy is in the far red or infrared (IR)
2012)
region of the electromagnetic spectrum. E1422
3.2.9 side lighting, n—illumination from a light source that
is at a low angle of incidence, or even parallel, to the surface
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
of the item. Syn., oblique lighting.
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.90 on Executive.
Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. DOI: 10.1520/
3.2.10 transmitted light, n—illuminationthatpassesthrough
E2331-04.
a document.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM 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. Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technologies (SWGIT) Definitions and
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Guidelines for the Use of Imaging Technologies in the Criminal Justice System,
www.astm.org. Forensic Science Communications , Vol 3, No. 3, July 2001.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2331 − 04
3.2.11 ultraviolet (UV), n—referring to radiant flux having 7. Procedure
wavelengths shorter than the wavelengths of light, usually
7.1 All procedures shall be performed when applicable and
wavelengths from about 10 to 380 nm. E1422
noted when appropriate. These procedures need not be per-
3.2.11.1 Discussion—Long-wave UV usually refers to the
formed in the order given.
spectral range of UV-A, with wavelengths from about 315 to
7.2 Examinations performed, relevant observations, and
380 nm. Short-wave UV usually refers to the spectral range of
results shall be documented.
UV-C, with wavelengths from 100 to 280 nm.
7.3 At various points in these procedures, a determination
4. Significance and Use that a particular feature is not present or that an item is lacking
in quality or comparability may indicate that the examiner
4.1 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the
should discontinue the procedure(s). It is at the discretion of
generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the
the examiner to discontinue the procedure at that point and
field of forensic document examination. By following these
report accordingly or to continue with the applicable proce-
procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach
dures to the extent possible. The reasons for such a decision
an opinion concerning whether a document has been altered.
shall be documented.
5. Interferences 7.4 Examine the document for the presence of characteris-
tics indicative of alterations. These can include, but are not
5.1 Items submitted for examination may have inherent
limited to, the following:
limitations that can interfere with the procedures in this Guide.
Limitations should be noted and recorded. NOTE 2—Care must be taken in the evaluation of the following
characteristics that may occur in the normal preparation, handling, and
5.2 Limitations can be due to submission of non-original
storage of the document.
documents, limited comparability, or condition of the items
7.4.1 Overwriting,
submitted for examination (for example, items that are stained,
7.4.2 Characteristics of multiple writing instruments,
soiled
...