ASTM E3462-25

1.1 This guide covers recommendations for the overall interpretation and reporting of findings from an analytical scheme for trace material comparisons conducted by personnel in a forensic laboratory.

1.2 This guide provides guidance to forensic examiners to standardize the interpretation of comparative examinations of trace evidence. It highlights fibers, glass, human hair, paint, and tape but can be applied to other trace materials.

1.3 This guide covers the information that is included in trace evidence written reports regarding interpretation of the overall results of comparative examinations and includes example report wording.

1.4 This guide is intended for use by competent forensic science practitioners with the requisite formal education, discipline-specific training (refer to Practices E2917, E3233, E3234, and E3175), and demonstrated proficiency to perform forensic casework.

1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 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.

5.1 This guide focuses on a qualitative approach to communicate the significance of an association or exclusion, based on (1) the validated methodology used for the comparison of the items, (2) discrimination capabilities of the analytical scheme, and (3) existing knowledge of how discriminating the compared characteristics are based on survey studies, reference collections, or databases.

5.2 This guide covers the use of an interpretation scale to provide context to the significance of results among all potential interpretation categories for a comparative report of trace materials (3).