ASTM E2286-03e1

Standard Guide for Examination of Dry Seal Impressions

SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (Guide E 444) for examinations and comparisons involving dry seal devices and their impressions.
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examination(s) and comparison(s) is of questioned and known items or of exclusively questioned items.
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 and sufficiency of the material available for examination.
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of particularly 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2003
• ICS: 07.140 - Forensic science
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2286-03 - Standard Guide for Examination of Dry Seal Impressions
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM E2286-07 - Standard Guide for Examination of Dry Seal Impressions
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2007

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
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Designation:E2286–03
Standard Guide for
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Examination of Dry Seal Impressions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2286; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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e NOTE—Sections 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 were editorially corrected in September 2007.
1. Scope 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 dry seal, n—a non-inked mechanical device which
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by
embosses a design on paper.
forensic document examiners (Guide E 444) for examinations
3.2.2 embossment variation, n—non-uniformity of the dry
and comparisons involving dry seal devices and their impres-
seal impression on the paper stock. It can be caused by the
sions.
manner of application or by defects in the dry seal.
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina-
3.2.3 impression, n—an image formed by pressure.
tion(s) and comparison(s) is of questioned and known items or
of exclusively questioned items.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency
4.1 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the
of the material available for examination.
generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the
1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will
field of forensic document examination. By following these
depend upon the nature and sufficiency of the material avail-
procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach
able for examination.
an opinion concerning whether two or more dry seal impres-
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of particularly
sions have a common origin, or if a dry seal impression was
unusual or uncommon examinations.
created by a specific dry seal device.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Interferences
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 Items submitted for examination may have inherent
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
limitations that can interfere with the procedures in this guide.
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
Limitations should be noted and recorded.
2. Referenced Documents 5.2 Limitations can be due to submission of non-original
2 documents, limited quantity or comparability, or condition of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the items submitted for examination (for example, distorted
E 444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic Document
impressions, partially imprinted impressions, or variations in
Examiners
surface texture). Such features are taken into account in this
E 1658 Terminology for Expressing Conclusions of Foren-
guide.
sic Document Examiners
5.3 The results of prior storage, handling, testing, or chemi-
E 1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
cal processing (for example, for latent prints) may interfere
E 2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques-
with the ability of the examiner to see certain characteristics.
tioned Documents
The effects can include, but are not limited to, flattening of the
3. Terminology embossmentorimpression,partialdestructionofthepaper,and
stains. Whenever possible, document examinations should be
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms in this guide, refer
conducted prior to any chemical processing. Items should be
toTerminologyE 1658,TerminologyE 1732,andTerminology
handled appropriately to avoid compromising subsequent ex-
E 2195.
aminations (for example, with clean gloves).
5.4 Consideration should be given to the possibility that a
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
dry seal device can be manufactured which duplicates the
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.02 on Questioned
impressions of another dry seal.
Documents.
Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published April 2003.
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6. Equipment and Requirements
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.1 Appropriate light source(s) of sufficient intensity to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
allow fine detail to be distinguished.
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E2286–03
NOTE 1—Natural light, incandescent or fluorescent sources, or fiber
7.10 If none of the known specimen impressions are suit-
optic lighting systems are generally utilized. Tran
...