Standardization News

ASTM International’s forensic sciences committee (E30) is developing a proposed standard that will compile terms and definitions related to the analysis of explosives.  

Forensic science practitioners, students, trainees, and those involved in legal matters will use the proposed standard (under development as WK56998).  

“The proposed standard will provide a means for increased uniformity and consistency of language in communications among users, thereby minimizing the potential for misinterpretations and misunderstandings,” says ASTM International member Kimberly S. Kunkler, forensic chemist senior, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Forensic Laboratory Services division. “This standard is cited in several other proposed standards on the forensic analysis of explosives that the committee is currently developing.” 

According to Kunkler, the proposed standard is based on terminology developed by the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) subcommittee on ignitable liquids, explosives, and gunshot residue (ILEGSR). The proposed standard will fill the need for a comprehensive terminology reference for forensic explosives analysis.  

The ILEGSR subcommittee of OSAC is developing other proposed standards related to forensic analysis of explosives that will be considered for approval as ASTM International standards by the E30 committee. 

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