3.1 These terms have particular application to forensic practice. Entries for Section A of E1732 are chosen variously from Webster’s Online Dictionary, international standards, textbooks, and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions. The subcommittee develops definitions when conventional sources fail to yield suitable candidates. Reference citations include:

3.1.1 For ASTM standards, the standard designation is followed by a dash and a two-digit year designation, e.g., E2161-19. The year citation references the year of publication of the standard from which the entry is taken, not necessarily the current year of publication of the standard.

3.1.2 Citations from other than ASTM standards may include an abbreviation and the standard number followed by a four-digit year designation, e.g., ISO 9000:2015. The year citation references the year of publication of the standard from which the entry is taken. Such standards may also be referenced by a name followed by a year designation, e.g., IUPAC Gold Book 2020. Abbreviations are explicated under “2. Referenced Documents.”

3.1.3 For entries created by members of E30, a brief statement to that effect and a year designation follows the entry, e.g., Created by E30 in 2021.

3.1.4 For entries followed simply by a reference, e.g., ISO 9000:2015 or E456-17, the reader can assume that the entry is accurately copied from the reference with no modifications except for ASTM format conventions. For entries that are slightly modified versions of something from a known source, reference citations read, “Based upon definition by…” Following the “by” is the source name and year that the entry was taken, or modified, for inclusion in Section A.

3.1.5 For entries from textbooks a reference following the entry will have the name or title of the text, author(s), edition (if applicable) and the year of publication or copyright.

3.1.6 For entries of unknown origin currently in E1732 Section A, a statement declaring that a review of these entries by E30 occurred in a particular year follows the entry e.g., Reviewed by E30 in 2021.

3.1.7 An entry may be such that the definition of a term has one reference and the DISCUSSION, following the definition, has a different reference.

3.1.8 Citations from Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary include the date retrieved from the online dictionary and the URL of the cited term and definition.

1.1 This terminology standard includes definitions of terms used in the forensic sciences.

1.2 Legal and scientific and terms in common use that are generally understood or defined adequately in other readily available sources may not be included, except when dictionaries show multiple definitions and it seems desirable to indicate the definitions recommended for forensic science use.

1.3 Section A defines terms that are common to multiple areas of forensic science, whereas, the subsequent sections define terms pertaining to specific forensic science areas, as follows:

Section A: General (Common) Forensic Science Terms

The terms defined in Section A are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.92, Terminology.

Section B: Criminalistics

The terms defined in Section B are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01, Criminalistics.

Section B1: Terms for Seized Drug Analysis

Section B2: Terms for Gunshot Residue (GSR) Analysis and Smokeless Powder Analysis

Section B3: Terms for Paint Analysis

Section B4: Terms for Textile, Fiber, Cord, and Tape Examination

Section B5: Terms for Glass Examination

Section B6: Terms for Fire Debris

Section C: Digital and Multimedia Evidence

The terms defined in Section C are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.12, Digital and Multimedia Evidence.

Section C1: Terms for Computer Forensics

Section C2: Terms for Digital Image Processing and Multimedia Evidence Examination

Section C3: Terms for Magnetic Card Reader Examination

Section C4: Terms for Facial Image Examination

Section D: Interdisciplinary

The terms defined in Section D are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.11, Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards.

Section E: Questioned Documents

The terms defined in Section E were formerly the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.02, Questioned Documents, and are currently the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.90, Executive Committee.

1.4 Entries listed in Sections B–E reflect only those existing in Committee E30 standards current with the date of a once yearly review of Committee E30 standards. Changes to standards or entries following this date will appear in Sections B–E after the following year’s review date.

1.5 An alphabetical list of the terms defined in this standard is given in Appendix X1, which also identifies the section(s) in which each term is defined.

1.6 Definitions identical to those published by another standards-developing organization or ASTM committee are identified with the abbreviation of the name of the organization or the identifying document and ASTM committee; for example, ASME is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

1.7 In some cases different usage of a term in different fields has been noted.

1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.