ASTM E2390-06

Standard Guide for Examination of Documents Produced with Toner Technology (Withdrawn 2015)

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 two or more documents produced with toner technology are from the same device, whether a particular device created the document, or the determination of the make or model of a device.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (Guide E 444) for examinations of documents produced with toner technology, and related procedures.
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examination is of questioned and known item(s) or of exclusively questioned item(s).
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency of the material available for examination.
1.4 The particular methods used 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 unusual or uncommon examinations.
1.6 These methods are applicable to examinations involving photocopiers, printers, facsimile devices, and multifunction devices using toner technology.
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.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (Guide E4441) for examinations of documents produced with toner technology, and related procedures.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences, this guide was withdrawn in January 2015 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the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• Status: Withdrawn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: 14-Jan-2006
• Withdrawal Date: 12-Jan-2015
• ICS: 37.100.10 - Reproduction equipment
• 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E2390 − 06
StandardGuide for
Examination of Documents Produced with Toner
Technology
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2390; 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 E2291 Guide for Indentation Examinations (Withdrawn
2012)
1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by
F221 Terminology Relating to Carbon Paper and Inked
forensic document examiners (Guide E444) for examinations
Ribbon Products and Images Made Therefrom
of documents produced with toner technology, and related
F909 Terminology Relating to Printers
procedures.
F1125 Terminology of Image Quality in Impact Printing
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina-
Systems
tion is of questioned and known item(s) or of exclusively
F1156 Terminology Relating to Product Counterfeit Protec-
questioned item(s). 3
tion Systems (Withdrawn 2001)
F1424 Test Method for Estimating Toner Usage in Full-
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency
of the material available for examination. Color Copiers Utilizing Dry Mono- or Dual-Component
Toners
1.4 The particular methods used in a given case will depend
F1434 Practice for Estimating the Performance of a Fuser
upon the nature and sufficiency of the material available for
Oil in an Electrostatic Copier or Printer
examination.
F1457 Terminology Relating to Laser Printers
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or
uncommon examinations.
3. Terminology
1.6 These methods are applicable to examinations involving
3.1 For definitions of terms in this guide, refer to Termi-
photocopiers, printers, facsimile devices, and multifunction
nologies E1658, E1732, and E2195.
devices using toner technology.
3.2 Definitions:
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 aliasing, n—see pixilation.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 black write, n—process in electrostatic printing in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
which the photoconductive element is charged with a charge of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the same sign as that of the toner. A light beam, used like a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
“stylus”isusedtodischargeonlythoseareasthataretoreceive
2. Referenced Documents toner to form the image. In the development process, the
charged background areas repel the like charged toner to the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
discharged areas on the photoconductor. F909
E444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic Document
Examiners 3.2.3 bridging, v—clumping of toner that causes a hollow
area in the toner supply that prevents the free flow of toner to
E1658 Terminology for Expressing Conclusions of Forensic
Document Examiners the dispenser auger. F1457
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
3.2.4 corona, n—device used to place a uniform electrical
E2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques-
charge on the surface of a xerographic photoreceptor. F1457
tioned Documents
3.2.5 dielectric printing process, n—nonimpact printing
technique in which specially treated paper consisting of a
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
conductivebaselayercoatedwithanonconductivethermoplas-
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.90 on Executive.
tic material is used to hold an electric charge usually applied
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2006. Published February 2006. DOI:
10.1520/E2390-06.
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 last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2390 − 06
directly by a set of electrode styli. The electric charge corre- 3.2.15 image, n—optical counterpart of an object produced
sponds to the latent image of the original. Following the by means of an image producing device. F221
charging step, the paper is imaged by a toner system similar to
3.2.16 imaging drum, n—photoreceptivedrumcoatedwitha
that of electrostatic copying devices. This technique is some-
charge-sensitive material used in the image transfer systems of
times called electrographic, and is currently used on general
toner devices.
purpose non impact printers, plotting and facsimile devices.
3.2.17 landscape mode, adj—printer output orientation in
F909
whichprintedlinesrunparalleltothedirectionofmovementof
3.2.5.1 Discussion—Bridging is a different phenomenon
the paper. F1457
from the image quality bridging as defined in Terminology
3.2.18 laser printer, n—nonimpact printer that uses a laser
F1125.
light source driven by digital signals to create images on a
3.2.6 dry toner, n—materialinadrydevelopersystemwhich
photoconductor. (See electrophotographic printer.) F909
when deposited on a substrate by the field of an electrostatic
3.2.19 liquid toner, n—toner material composed of carbon
charge pattern, becomes the visible record. F1457
particles or colorants suspended in a liquid carrier.
3.2.7 dual-component development, n—mixture of dry toner
and iron oxide developer that is used for developing electro- 3.2.20 maximum image area, n—portion on a page that can
be printed. (See percentage coverage and image area.) F1457
static images in copiers. F1424
3.2.8 electrophotographic printer, n—nonimpact printing 3.2.21 maximum print position, n—rightmost point at which
technique that is similar to the technology used in a typical the printer can mark the paper. F1457
office copier, which forms a copy by attracting toner particles
3.2.22 monocomponent development, n—single component
to a static charge on the surface of a photoconductor, then
dry toner used for developing electrostatic images in copiers.
transferring the toner image to the surface of a sheet of paper.
F1424
In the normal office copier, the charged image (latent image) of
3.2.23 nonimpact printer, n—printer in which image forma-
the original document is formed on the photoconductor simply
tion is not the result of mechanical impacts.
through exposure of the photoconductor to reflected light from
3.2.23.1 Discussion—Examples are thermal printers, elec-
the document. In an electrophotographic printer, the image is
trostatic printers, electrophotographic printers, and ink jet
formedbyalightsource(laser,LED,LCS,laserdiode,orother
printers. F909
controlled light source) that erases or discharges a static image
charge on the photoconductor according to information being 3.2.24 nonrecirculating system, n—fuseroilapplicationsys-
supplied through the input data stream. Each bit of data can be tem in which none of the fuser oil that has been removed from
related to a character shape in the memory of the printing the reservoir is returned. F1434
system, and in most cases characters are formed by a dot
3.2.25 overtoning, n—any of the conditions occurring in the
matrix method similar in concept to that of the matrix printer.
developing unit when the toner concentration is too high.
Paper can be sheet or roll—fed or continuous form. F909
F1457
3.2.9 full-color copiers, n—copiers that can reproduce color
3.2.26 percent coverage, n—ratio of the area actually cov-
originalscontaininggradationsofcolor.Full-colorcopiersmay
ered by the ink (or print material) to the area of the page times
have up to four individual color developing units containing
one hundred. (See image area and maximum image area.)
four different color toners. These colors are frequently cyan,
F1457
magenta, yellow, and black. The original is scanned by means
3.2.27 picker bar, n—metal bars used in the delivery system
of an analog system using a series of color filters or by means
to remove individual sheets of paper from the photoconductive
of a digital scanning process.The full-color copier may require
drum in a toner device.
up to four scans to read the original. The copier individually
applies one or more color toners to a transfer drum/belt or 3.2.28 pitting, n—small defects in the surface of the photo-
receptor that produce spots or voids on the printout. F1457
photoconductor, or both, which is in turn deposited on the
paper. F1424
3.2.29 pixelation, n—stair stepped or jagged effect resulting
3.2.10 fuser roll, n—heatedrollerthatcontactsthepaperand from analog to digital conversion.
toner directly and is part of the fuser unit. F1434
3.2.30 platen, n—flat plate or roller used as a support for
3.2.11 glitch, n—print defect that displaces the laser scan printing or copying a document. F1156
line so that it appears to start and stop late. F1457
3.2.31 portrait mode, adj—printer output orientation in
which print lines run perpendicular to the direction of move-
3.2.12 gripper bar, n—metal bars used in delivery systems
tograspindividualsheets,directingthemthroughthesystemin ment of the paper. F1457
a toner device.
3.2.32 printer output area, n—maximumareaonthepageto
3.2.13 image area, n—that portion of the page that is which the printer will print. F1457
printed, including the space between letters and lines. (See
3.2.33 printer, n—output unit that produces durable hard-
percent coverage and maximum image area.) F1457
copy record of data in the form of a sequence of discrete
3.2.14 image density, n—contrast between image and back- graphic characters belonging to a predetermined character set.
ground as measured by densitometer. F221 F909
E2390 − 06
3.2.34 printing module, n—those components in the laser black or monochrome (for example, one color black). These
printerthattogetherdrivethelaserscanner,createtheimageon various outputs from one machine have many significant
the page, deliver the page to the stacker. F1457 differences among them.
3.2.35 raster output scanner, n—output peripheral, either
6. Equipment and Requirements
standaloneorwithinaprinter,thatconvertscomputerdatainto
a bit mapped image, which is sent to the host for storage or a
6.1 Appropriate light source(s) of sufficient intensity to
printer for output. F1457
allow fine detail to be distinguished.
3.2.36 slit glass, n—alternate scanning surface found in NOTE 1—Natural light, incandescent or fluorescent sources, or fiber
optic lighting systems are generally used. Transmitted illumination, side
some digital photocopiers used in conjunction with an auto-
lighting, and vertical incident lighting may be useful in a variety of
matic document feeder.
situations.
3.2.37 smudge, n—tendency of an image to smear or streak
6.2 Magnification sufficient to allow fine detail to be distin-
onto an adjacent area when rubbed; involves the redeposition
guished.
of abraded material. F221
6.3 Rulers in S.I., U.S. Customary Units, printers’measure,
3.2.38 white write, n—process in electrostatic printing
and desktop publishing units.
where the photoconductive element is charged with a charge of
the opposite sign as that of the toner.Alight beam, acting like
6.4 Other apparatus as appropriate (for example, measuring
a “charge eraser” is used to discharge all areas of the
grids and magnetic detectors).
photoconductor that are not to receive toner to form the image.
6.5 Imaging or other equipment for recording observations
The toner is attracted to the remaining charged areas of the
as required.
photoconductor when the latent electrostatic image is
developed. F909
6.6 Reference materials that aid in the determination of a
manufacturer.
4. Significance and Use
6.7 Sufficient time and facilities to complete all applicable
4.1 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the
procedures.
generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the
field of forensic document examination. By following these
7. Procedures
procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach
an opinion concerning whether two or more documents pro-
7.1 All applicable procedures shall be performed and noted
ducedwithtonertechnologyarefromthesamedevice,whether
when appropriate. These procedures need not be performed in
a particular device created the document, or the determination
the order given. Examinations performed, relevant observa-
of the make or model of a device.
tions, and results shall be documented.
5. Interferences
7.2 At various points in these procedures, a determination
that a particular feature is not present or that an item is lacking
5.1 Items submitted for examination may have inherent
in quality or comparability may indicate that the examiner
limitations that can interfere with the procedures in this guide.
should discontinue or limit the procedure(s). It is at the
Limitations should be noted and recorded. Limitations can be
discretion of the examiner to discontinue the procedure at that
due to the generation of the document(s) limited quantity or
point and report accordingly or to continue with the applicable
comparability, or condition of the items submitted for exami-
procedures to the extent possible. The reasons for such a
nation. Such features are taken into account in this guide.
decision shall be documented.
5.2 The results of prior storage, handling, testing, or chemi-
7.3 Determine whether the submitted questioned docu-
cal processing (for example, for latent prints) may interfere
ment(s) was produced with toner technology. If not, discon-
with the ability of the examiner to see certain characteristics.
tinue examination and report accordingly.
The effects can include, but are not limited to, partial destruc-
tion of the paper, stains, and deterioration of the toner.
7.4 Determine whether the examination is a comparison of
Whenever possible, document examinations should be con-
a questioned document(s) to a known document(s), a compari-
ducted prior to any chemical processing. Items should be
son of a questioned document(s) to a questioned document(s),
handled appropriately to avoid compromising subsequent ex-
or is another type of examination of a questioned document(s)
aminations. Consideration should be given to the possibility
(for example, to determine date limitations or class of ma-
that various forms of manipulation and duplication of toner-
chine).
produced items can be generated by computer or other means.
7.5 Determine whether the questioned document(s) is suit-
Some toner supply units are interchangeable between different
able for examination, o
...