ASTM_E_2291_-_03.pdf

Designation:E 2291 03Standard Guide forIndentation Examinations1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2291;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(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used byforensic document examiners(E 444)for examinations andcomparisons involving visualization and recording of indenta-tions.1.2 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiencyof the material available for examination.1.3 The particular methods employed in a given case willdepend upon the nature of the material available for examina-tion.1.4 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual oruncommon examinations.1.5 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:E 444 Guide for Descriptions of Scopes of Work Relating toForensic Sciences for Questioned Document Area2E 1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science2E 2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques-tioned Documents23.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms in this guide,referto Terminologies E 1732 and E 2195.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 direct contact,ntwo sheets of paper,one on top ofthe other,with no intervening sheets.3.2.2 electrostatic detection device(EDD),nan instru-ment used to visualize paper fiber disturbances(for example,indentations,erasures,typewritten material/lift off).3.2.3 film,nthin transparent plastic material that coversthe item during an examination using an EDD.3.2.4 indentations,nlatent or visible impressions in paperor other media.3.2.5 indirect contact,ntwo sheets of paper,one on top ofthe other,with one or more intervening sheets.3.2.6 lift,nthe product of an EDD examination;a self-adhesive plastic sheet adhering to a film that preserves theresults of an EDD examination.3.2.7 primary indentations,nimpressions caused by theact of writing or other dynamic actions.3.2.8 secondary impression(s),nfiber disturbances causedby contact with the embossed side of indentations and notcaused by the act of writing.3.2.9 side lighting,nillumination from a light source thatis at a low angle of incidence,or even parallel,to the surfaceof the item.Syn.oblique lighting.4.Significance and Use4.1 When sheets of paper are in direct or indirect contactwith one another,impressions on the top sheet can produceindentations on the sheet(s)below.4.2 This guide establishes procedures for visualizing thoseindentations.4.2.1 These procedures are essentially non-destructive;however,pencil writing and single-strike ribbon typing can bepartially lifted from the document by EDD.Although thiseffect can be minimal,adequate documentation of such itemsshould precede EDD.4.3 Paper fiber disturbances caused by erasures or present intorn paper edges may be visualized using this guide.4.4 Electrostatic detection device(EDD)examinations maybe useful in developing other types of impressions on paperitems(for example,typewritten material,shoeprints and latentprints).4.5 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 indentations.5.Interferences5.1 Certain items submitted for examination may haveinherent limitations that can interfere with the procedures inthis guide.Limitations should be noted and recorded.5.2 The size,shape,density or condition of an item maymake it unsuitable for the EDD portion of the procedure(forexample,some book covers,large file folders and items thathave been wet or damaged after indentations were made).1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on ForensicSciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.02 on QuestionedDocuments.Current edition approved April 10,2003.Published June 2003.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 14.02.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.5.3 A complete examination involves the use of both theoptical and EDD portions of the procedure.All indentationsmay not be revealed if the optical and EDD portions of theprocedure are not conducted.5.4 The results of prior storage,handling,testing,or pro-cessing may interfere with these procedures.Chemical pro-cessing for latent prints generally interferes with indentationexamination results.Indentation examinations should be con-ducted prior to any chemical processing.Items should behandled appropr