ASTM_E_2388_-_11.pdf

Designation:E238811Standard Guide forMinimum Training Requirements for Forensic DocumentExaminers1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2388;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 minimum requirements and proce-dures that should be used for the fundamental training offorensic document examiners(Guide E444).1.2 This guide may not cover all aspects of training for thetopics addressed or for unusual or uncommon examinations.1.3 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 limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic DocumentExaminersE1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic ScienceE2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques-tioned Documents3.Terminology3.1 For definitions of terms in this guide,refer to Termi-nologies E1732 and E2195.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 technical visit,ntravel for the purpose of obtaininginformation,knowledge,or training,including interaction withor demonstration by pertinent manufacturers,businesses,andlaboratories.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 theserequirements and procedures,an appropriate trainee(see 5.2)can acquire the scientific,technical,and other specializedknowledge,skill,and experience required to reliably performthe work of a forensic document examiner(Guide E444).5.Equipment and Personnel5.1 Training Materials and Equipment:5.1.1 Access to texts,periodicals,papers,and other profes-sional literature.5.1.2 Access to equipment appropriate to each area ofinstruction.5.2 Requirements for the Trainee Candidate:5.2.1 An earned baccalaureate degree or equivalent from anaccredited college or university.5.2.2 Documented successful completion of a form dis-crimination test.5.2.3 Documented successful completion of a color percep-tion test.5.2.4 Documented successful completion of near and distantvisual acuity tests with best corrected vision within six monthsprior to commencement of training.5.3 Requirements for the Trainer(s):5.3.1 Requirements for the principal trainer:5.3.1.1 The principal trainer shall be a forensic documentexaminer;5.3.1.2 Have successfully completed the equivalent of aminimum of 24 months full-time supervised training;5.3.1.3 Have been trained in the topics of instruction in thisguide(Section 7);and5.3.1.4 Have at least five years of full-time post-trainingexperience as a forensic document examiner.5.3.1.5 All of the above should be documented.5.3.1.6 The principal trainer should have successfully com-pleted a course or seminar in instructor development.5.3.2 The qualifications of any other trainers shall beapproved by the principal trainer.6.Procedure6.1 The training program shall be the equivalent of aminimum of 24 months full-time training under the supervisionof a principal trainer.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 March 1,2011.Published March 2011.Originallyapproved in 2005.Last previous edition published in 2005 as E2388 05.DOI:10.1520/E2388-11.2For 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 6.1.1 The training program shall be successfully completedin a period not to exceed four years.6.1.2 Each area of instruction will have an objective(s)established by the principal trainer.Examination(s)(for ex-ample,written test,oral test,practical exercise)will beadministered in order to measure the trainees knowledge.NOTE1Although attending meetings and presentations is useful assupplemental training,it does not replace the training outlined in Section7 of this guide.However,the principal trainer may grant credit to thetrainee for knowledge(as in accordance with Section 7)acquired at suchmeetings and presentations.6.1.3 The principal trainer may grant credit for prior trainingor experience in Section 7 subject areas when the trainee candemonstrate and document such training or experience.6.1.4 A training record for each trainee will be maintainedand will document the following:6.1.4.1 Instruct