scope:

This guide covers recommended techniques and procedures intended for use by forensic laboratory personnel that perform SEM/EDS analyses on polymer samples.

This guide describes various techniques and procedures used in the SEM/EDS analysis of polymers that include sample handling and preparation, instrument operating conditions, and spectral data collection, evaluation and interpretation.

The theoretical aspects of many of the topics presented can be found in texts such as Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray Microanalysis (1).²

This guide is intended to be applied within the scope of a broader analytical scheme (for example, Guides E1610, E3260) for the forensic analysis of a polymer sample. An SEM/EDS analysis can provide additional information regarding the potential relationships between the sources of polymeric materials.

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

The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Other units of measurement are included in this standard where applicable as a result of common usage (for example, keV).

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.

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.

² The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.