This guide is intended for, but may not be limited to, physical match examinations of paper items. The physical matching or realignment of items of evidence may occur in two or three dimensions.

The procedures outlined here are grounded in the generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the field of forensic document examination. By following these procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach an opinion concerning whether or not two or more paper fragments were at one time parts of a single piece of paper.

1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and comparisons to determine whether or not two or more paper fragments were at one time joined to form a single piece of paper.

1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examination(s) and comparison(s) is of questioned and known items or of exclusively questioned items.

1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency of the material available for examination.

1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will depend upon the nature sufficiency of the material available for examination.

1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or uncommon examinations.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.