ASTM E620-97

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Designation: E 620 – 97
Standard Practice for
1
Reporting Opinions of Technical Experts
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 620; 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.
1. Scope 4.1.2 Identifying number and date the report was prepared,
4.1.3 Name, address, and affiliation of each person who has
1.1 This practice covers the scope of information to be
rendered an opinion contained in the report,
contained in formal written technical reports which express the
4.1.4 Name of the person or organization, or both, request-
opinions of the technical expert with respect to the study of
ing the report (optional at the discretion of the expert),
items that are or may reasonably be expected to be the subject
4.1.5 Generic description of the item(s) examined together
of litigation.
with specific data to uniquely identify the item(s) such as a
1.2 For additional standards promulgated by ASTM Com-
serial number, marking, or some other means of adequately
mittee E-30 on Forensic Sciences, see Practices E 678, E 860,
identifying the item(s) examined,
E 1020, and E 1188.
4.1.6 Date and location of examination,
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
4.1.7 The scope of investigative activities performed in
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
preparation for reaching conclusions and opinions.
address all of the safety concerns associated with its use. It is
4.2 Pertinent Facts:
the responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and
4.2.1 The report shall contain all facts that are pertinent to
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
the opinion rendered and shall be reported in accordance with
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the classifications set forth in 4.2.1.1 and 4.2.1.2.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2.1.1 Identify those facts which are based on the observa-
tions by the expert of the item(s) in question or photographs
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
thereof, and other item(s) which is (are) similar thereto.
E 678 Practice for Evaluation of Technical Data
4.2.1.2 Identify other facts based on the observations by the
E 860 Practice for Examining and Testing Items that Are or
2
expert, and other facts and information that the expert relies
May Become Involved in Litigation
2
upon in rendering an opinion.
E 1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents
4.2.2 Whenever pertinent findings of fact are established
E 1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
2
through examination or testing, the person(s) rendering the
tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
opinion based on such findings shall have either supervised,
3. Significance and Use
conducted, participated in or observed such examination or
testing, and failing to do any one of them shall list the name
3.1 This practice establishes those elements of the expert’s
and business address of each person who supervised or
opinion report which will make the report self-teaching and
conducted each examination or test establishing such findings
focus on the technical aspects germane to the purpose for
of fact.
which the opinion is rendered.
4.3 Opinions and Conclusions:
4. Report Content
4.3.1 The report shall contain all of the techni
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