ASTM E3150-18

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: E3150 − 18 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
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Forensic Audio Laboratory Setup and Maintenance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3150; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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1. Scope 2.3 AES Standard:
AES Recommended Practice for Audio Preservation and
1.1 This guide sets forth recommendations for the creation
Restoration – Storage and Handling – Storage of
of a forensic audio laboratory space as well as the
Polyester-Base Magnetic Tape, AES Standard 22-1997,
configuration, verification, and maintenance of the equipment
Reaffirmed 2008
contained within the lab. 5
2.4 SWGDE Standard:
SWGDE Recommendations for Validation Testing
1.2 In designing and configuring an audio laboratory, it is
important to consider the acoustical environment/room of the
3. Terminology
laboratory, as well as climate control. Other than having a
3.1 Definitions:
viable location for the laboratory, computer hardware and
3.1.1 For definitions of terms that may assist in interpreting
software applications are the most important components of a
this standard, refer to Terminology E1732.
laboratory.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 The design and configuration of an audio laboratory, as
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
well as the maintenance of equipment, are factors that must be
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
considered to ensure an optimal environment to produce the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
best results. This guide is intended to provide general guidance
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
for laboratory setup and maintenance.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.2 This document is not meant to be an all-inclusive guide
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
on how to set up a laboratory; nor does it contain information
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
pertaining to specific commercial products as it relates to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
computer hardware, forensic, and non-forensic software appli-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cations.
4.3 When dealing with equipment and technology outside
2. Referenced Documents
your area of expertise, consult with an appropriate specialist.
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Audio Laboratory Considerations
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
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5.1 Environment—The physical environment, independent
2.2 ISO/IEC Standard:
of equipment, in and around a forensic audio laboratory can
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence
have a profound effect on the quality of work produced. Audio
of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
laboratory design is a complex task and comprehensive refer-
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ences should be consulted, including Refs (1-4).
5.1.1 Acoustics—The acoustic environment of a forensic
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
audio laboratory is the collection of ambient sounds and
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.12 on Digital and
influences (for example, materials, resonances, echo), which
Multimedia Evidence.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published October 2018. DOI: 10.1520/
E3150-18.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from Audio Engineering Society, Inc. (AES), International
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Headquarters, 551 Fifth Ave., Suite 1225, New York, NY 10176, http://
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on www.aes.org.
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the ASTM website. Available from the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE),
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Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO https://www.swgde.org.
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Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E3150 − 18
can affect the quality of a forensic audio analysis. Eliminate or separate computer for searching the Internet for unique codecs,
minimize sound distractions in the audio laboratory
...