ASTM_E_2285_-_08.pdf

Designation:E228508Standard Guide forExamination of Mechanical Checkwriter Impressions1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2285;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 for examinations thatshould be used by forensic document examiners(Guide E444)for examinations and comparisons involving mechanicalcheckwriters and their impressions(exclusive of rubber stampcheckwriter impressions or computer generated checkwriterimpressions).1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina-tion(s)and comparison(s)are of questioned and known itemsor of 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 DocumentExaminersE1732 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 E1732 and Terminology E2195.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 blemish,na small extraneous spot found near inkedregions of checkwriter impressions that is characteristic ofmachines that use ribbons as their ink source.3.2.2 checkwriter,na device manually or electrically pow-ered or computer generated,designed to ink,emboss,print,perforate,or shred a monetary value,along with other periph-eral information,onto a document.3.2.3 impression,nan image formed by pressure on thedocument.3.2.4 impression format,nthe manner in which the paperis embossed or shredded.3.2.5 individual prefix,na prefix especially designed for aparticular customer.3.2.6 payee perforator,nan optional device on a check-writer that perforates or shreds a pattern above the numericimpression region for the purpose of protecting the payee entryfrom alteration.3.2.7 perforation,npenetration through the document.3.2.8 platen,na bar-shaped object that pushes the paperstock against the typeface and provides the pressure necessaryto obtain an impression.3.2.9 prefix,nthe portion of the checkwriter impressionlocated immediately to the left of the numeric value.3.2.10 printing element,nthe parts of the total checkwriterimpression that are not parts of the prefix which may encom-pass the currency type,decimal points,and commas.3.2.11 ribbon shift,vthe movement of a multi-coloredinking ribbon allowing for a change in color to manifest itselfin an impressed character.3.2.12 segment,na single device on which is forged orattached a set of numerals or symbols which can be set by theoperator in establishing an impression value.On some ma-chines a different segment is used for each digit.3.2.13 variation,nimprecise duplication in multiple im-pressions from the same machine.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 these1This 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 1,2008.Published April 2008.Originallyapproved in 2003.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E2285 03.DOI:10.1520/E2285-08.2For 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 procedures,a forensic document examiner can reliably reachan opinion concerning whether two or more impressions werecreated by the same checkwriter,whether a particular check-writer created the specific impression,or the determination ofthe make and model of checkwriter that made an impression.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 of