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1.1 One objective of a forensic glass examination is to compare glass samples to determine if they can be discriminated using their physical, optical or chemical properties (for example, color, refractive index (RI), density, elemental composition). If the samples are distinguishable in any of these observed and measured properties, it may be concluded that they did not originate from the same source of broken glass. If the samples are indistinguishable in all of these observed and measured properties, the possibility that they originated from the same source of glass cannot be eliminated. The use of an elemental analysis method such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry yields high discrimination among sources of glass. (1-16)2

1.2 This test method covers a procedure for quantitative determination of the concentrations of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), zirconium (Zr), barium (Ba), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), and lead (Pb) in glass samples.

1.3 This procedure is applicable to irregularly shaped samples as small as 200 micrograms, for the comparison of fragments of a known source to the recovered fragments from a questioned source. These elements are present in soda lime and borosilicate glass in μg/L to % levels.

1.4 This procedure is applicable to other elements, other types of glass, and other concentration ranges with appropriate modifications of the digestion procedure (if needed for full recovery of the additional elements), calibration standards and the mass spectrometer conditions. Calcium and potassium, for example, could be added to the list of analytes in a modified analysis scheme. Alternative methods for the determination of concentrations of elements in glass are listed in the references.

1.5 For any given glass, approximately 40 elements are likely to be present at detectable concentrations using this procedure with minor modifications. The element set stated here is an example of some of these elements that can be detected in glass and used for forensic comparisons.

1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.7 This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through education, training, and experience and is to be used in conjunction with professional judgment by individuals with such discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.

1.8 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.

1.9 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.

4.1 This technique is destructive, in that the glass fragments may need to be crushed, and digested in acid.

4.2 Although the concentration ranges of the calibration curves shown in Appendix X1 are applicable to soda lime and borosilicate glass, this method is useful for the accurate measurement of element concentrations from a wide variety of glass samples.

4.3 The determination of the element concentrations in glass yields data that can be used to compare fragments.

4.4 It should be recognized that the method measures the bulk concentration of the target elements. Any extraneous material present on the glass that is not removed before digestion can result in inaccurate concentrations of the measured elements.

4.5 The precision and accuracy of the method should be established in each laboratory that employs the method.