ASTM_E_2290_-_07a.pdf

Designation:E229007aStandard Guide forExamination of Handwritten Items1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2290;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 handwritten items and relatedprocedures.1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina-tion and comparison is of questioned and known items or ofexclusively questioned items.1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiencyof the material(questioned,or known,or both)available forexamination.1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case willdepend upon the nature of the material available for examina-tion.1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual oruncommon examinations of handwritten items.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 For definitions of terms in this guide,refer to Termi-nologies E1732 and E2195.3.2 Definitions:3.2.1 known,n/adjof established origin associated withthe matter under investigation.E17323.2.2 questioned,n/adjassociated with the matter underinvestigation about which there is some question,including,but not limited to,whether the questioned and known itemshave a common origin.E17323.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.3.1 absent character,na character or character combi-nation which is present in one body of writing but is not present(for example,does not have a corresponding character)inanother body of writing.3.3.2 character,nany language symbol(for example,letter,numeral,punctuation mark,or other sign),other symbol,or ornament.3.3.3 characteristic,na feature,quality,attribute,or prop-erty of writing.3.3.4 comparable,n/adjpertaining to handwritten itemsthat contain the same type(s)of writing and similar characters,words,and combinations.Contemporaneousness and writinginstruments may also be factors.3.3.5 distorted writing,nwriting that does not appear tobe,but may be natural.This appearance can be due to eithervoluntary factors(for example,disguise,simulation)or invol-untary factors(for example,physical condition of the writer,writing conditions).3.3.6 handwritten item,nan item bearing something writ-ten by hand(for example,cursive writing,hand printing,signatures).NOTE1As used in this standard“handwriting”and“handwritten”aregeneric terms.Writing is generally,but not invariably,produced using thehand,and may be the result of some other form of direct manipulation ofa writing or marking instrument by an individual.3.3.7 individualizing characteristics,nmarks or propertiesthat serve to uniquely characterize writing.3.3.7.1 DiscussionBoth class characteristics(marks orproperties that associate individuals as members of a group)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 April 15,2007.Published July 2007.Originallyapproved in 2003.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E2290 07.DOI:10.1520/E2290-07A.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 Copyright by ASTM Intl(all rights reserved);Fri Aug 7 21:24:38 EDT 2015Downloaded/printed bySoutheast University(Southeast University)pursuant to License Agreement.No further reproductions authorized.and individual characteristics(marks or properties that differ-entiate the individual members in a group)are individualizingcharacteristics.3.3.8 item,nan object or quantity of material on which aset of observations can be made.3.3.9 natural writing,nany specimen of writing executedwithout an attempt to control or alter its usual quality ofexecution.3.3.10 range of variation,nthe accumulation of devia-tions among repetitions of respective handwriting characteris-tics that are demonstrated in the writing habits of an individual.(See variation,3.3.15).3.3.11 significant difference,nan in