ASTM_E_2286_-_08a.pdf

Designation:E228608aStandard Guide forExamination of Dry Seal Impressions1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2286;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used byforensic document examiners(Guide E444)for examinationsand comparisons involving dry seal devices and their impres-sions.1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina-tion(s)and comparison(s)is of questioned and known items orof exclusively questioned items.1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiencyof the material available for examination.1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case willdepend upon the nature and sufficiency of the material avail-able for examination.1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of particularlyunusual or uncommon examinations.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic DocumentExaminersE1658 Terminology for Expressing Conclusions of ForensicDocument ExaminersE1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic ScienceE2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques-tioned Documents3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms in this guide,referto Terminology E1658,Terminology E1732,and TerminologyE2195.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 dry seal,na non-inked mechanical device whichembosses a design on paper.3.2.2 embossment variation,nnon-uniformity of the dryseal impression on the paper stock.It can be caused by themanner of application or by defects in the dry seal.3.2.3 impression,nan image formed by pressure.4.Significance and Use4.1 The procedures outlined here are grounded in thegenerally accepted body of knowledge and experience in thefield of forensic document examination.By following theseprocedures,a forensic document examiner can reliably reachan opinion concerning whether two or more dry seal impres-sions have a common origin,or if a dry seal impression wascreated by a specific dry seal device.5.Interferences5.1 Items submitted for examination may have inherentlimitations that can interfere with the procedures in this guide.Limitations should be noted and recorded.5.2 Limitations can be due to submission of non-originaldocuments,limited quantity or comparability,or condition ofthe items submitted for examination(for example,distortedimpressions,partially imprinted impressions,or variations insurface texture).Such features are taken into account in thisguide.5.3 The results of prior storage,handling,testing,or chemi-cal processing(for example,for latent prints)can interfere withthe examination of certain characteristics.The effects caninclude,but are not limited to,flattening of the embossment orimpression,partial destruction of the paper,and stains.When-ever possible,document examinations should be conductedprior to any chemical processing.Items should be handledappropriately to avoid compromising subsequent examina-tions.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on ForensicSciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.90 on Executive.Current edition approved July 15,2008.Published October 2008.Originallyapproved in 2003.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E2286 08.DOI:10.1520/E2286-08A.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.4 Consideration should be given to the possibility that adry seal device can be manufactured which duplicates theimpressions of another dry seal.6.Equipment and Requirements6.1 Appropriate light source(s)of sufficient intensity toallow fine detail to be distinguished.NOTE1Natural light,incandescent or fluorescent sources,or fiberoptic lighting systems are generally utilized.Transmitted illumination,side lighting,and vertical incident lighting have been found useful.6.2 Magnification sufficient to allow fine detail to be distin-guished.6.3 Other apparatus as appropriate.6.4 Imaging or other equipment for recording observationsas required.6.5 Sufficient time and facilities to complete all applicableprocedures.7.Procedure7.1 Perform all procedures when applicable and note eachwhen appropriate.These procedures do not have to be per-formed in the order given.7.2