ASTM E2285-03e1

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Designation:E2285–03
Standard Guide for
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Examination of Mechanical Checkwriter Impressions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2285; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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e NOTE—Sections 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 were editorially corrected in September 2007.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This guide provides procedures for examinations that 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms in this Guide, refer
should be used by forensic document examiners (Guide E 444) to Terminology E 1732 and Terminology E 2195.
for examinations and comparisons involving mechanical 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
checkwriters and their impressions (exclusive of rubber stamp 3.2.1 blemish, n—a small extraneous spot found near inked
checkwriter impressions or computer generated checkwriter regions of checkwriter impressions that is characteristic of
impressions). machines that use ribbons as their ink source.
1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examina- 3.2.2 checkwriter, n—a device manually or electrically
tion(s) and comparison(s) are of questioned and known items poweredorcomputergenerated,designedtoink,emboss,print,
or of exclusively questioned items. perforate, or shred a monetary value, along with other periph-
1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency eral information, onto a document.
of the material available for examination. 3.2.3 impression, n—an image formed by pressure on the
1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will document.
depend upon the nature and sufficiency of the material avail- 3.2.4 impression format, n—the manner in which the paper
able for examination. is embossed or shredded.
1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of particularly 3.2.5 individual prefix, n—a prefix especially designed for a
unusual or uncommon examinations. particular customer.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.6 payee perforator, n—an optional device on a check-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the writer that perforates or shreds a pattern above the numeric
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- impression region for the purpose of protecting the payee entry
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- from alteration.
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use. 3.2.7 perforation, n—penetration through the document.
3.2.8 platen, n—a bar-shaped object that pushes the paper
2. Referenced Documents
stock against the typeface and provides the pressure necessary
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2.1 ASTM Standards: to obtain an impression.
E 444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic Document
3.2.9 prefix, n—the portion of the checkwriter impression
Examiners located immediately to the left of the numeric value.
E 1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
3.2.10 printing element, n—the parts of the total check-
E 2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Ques- writer impression that are not parts of the prefix which may
tioned Documents
encompass the currency type, decimal points, and commas.
3.2.11 ribbon shift, v—the movement of a multi-colored
inking ribbon allowing for a change in color to manifest itself
in an impressed character.
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
3.2.12 segment, n—a single device on which is forged or
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.02 on Questioned
attached a set of numerals or symbols which can be set by the
Documents.
Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published April 2003.
operator in establishing an impression value. On some ma-
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
chines a different segment is used for each digit.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.2.13 variation, n—imprecise duplication in multiple im-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. pressions from the same machine.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E2285–03
4. Significance and Use point and report accordingly or to continue with the applicable
procedures to the extent possible. Document the reasons for
4.1 The procedures outlined here are grounded in the
such a decision.
generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the
7.4 Determine whether the submitted questioned impres-
field of forensic document examination. By following these
sion(s
...