WK72932 - New Guide for Forensic Glass Analysis and Comparison

Work Item

ASTM WK72932

New Guide for Forensic Glass Analysis and Comparison

1. Scope

1.1 Forensic examination of glass is undertaken to determine one or more of the following: 1) if a particle is glass, 2) the compositional class and product type, 3) if exclusionary differences exist between two or more fragments, and 4) the implications of the presence or absence of exclusionary differences between glass fragments. 1.2 This guide is intended to assist individuals who conduct forensic glass analyses in the identification, evaluation, selection, and application of test methods that can be of value to an investigation. This guide describes an analytical scheme for glass fragments that is intended to advise and assist the analyst in the collection and interpretation of data resulting from these analyses. This document is not intended to describe methods in detail or to be a rigid scheme for the analysis and comparison of glass samples, but rather is intended as a guide to the strengths and limitations of each analytical method. The detailed descriptions of procedures for many of the test methods are addressed in separate documents (ASTM E1967, E2330, E2926 and E2927).

Keywords

Forensic science; glass comparison, instrumental analysis

Rationale

Currently there is no over-arching guide for the forensic analysis and comparison of glass and this document would address that gap. This guide will attempt to explain the techniques and technologies that are employed in analyses and comparisons of glass in forensic casework.

Details

Developed by Subcommittee: E30.15

Committee: E30

Staff Manager: Kevin Shanahan

Work Item Status

Date Initiated: 05-07-2020

Technical Contact: Jodi Webb

Item: 003

Ballot: E30.01 (20-03)