Questions for a materials examination

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Objects and suitability of materials

01Objects and suitability of materialsWhat are the type, condition and features of the submitted materials or products?

02Objects and suitability of materialsAre the submitted objects suitable for answering the questions posed?

03Objects and suitability of materialsWhat limitations arise from the quantity, condition or contamination of the objects?

04Objects and suitability of materialsWhich features belong to the object itself, and which may be associated with its storage or packaging?

05Objects and suitability of materialsWhat information about the provenance and transfer of materials is needed for the examination?

06Objects and suitability of materialsAre the submitted comparison samples sufficient for a sound comparison?

07Objects and suitability of materialsWhat additional objects, samples or documents are needed to answer the question?

Fibrous materials and products

08Fibrous materials and productsAre the microparticles found fibrous materials?

09Fibrous materials and productsWhat properties and features of the submitted fibres, threads or fabrics have been established within the scope of the methods used?

10Fibrous materials and productsAre fibrous microparticles relevant to the task present on the submitted object?

11Fibrous materials and productsWhat matches and differences have been established between the fibres under examination and the comparison samples?

12Fibrous materials and productsWhat is the significance of the established matches and differences for the task being addressed?

13Fibrous materials and productsWhat limitations prevent a finding on the source of the fibres?

14Fibrous materials and productsHow are the product's condition, use, cleaning or storage taken into account when assessing the result?

Paint materials and coatings

15Paint materials and coatingsAre the submitted particles paint material or coating?

16Paint materials and coatingsWhat features of the coating's structure and composition have been established by the methods used?

17Paint materials and coatingsWhat matches and differences have been identified in comparing the coating and samples?

18Paint materials and coatingsHow are the sequence and condition of layers taken into account during comparison?

19Paint materials and coatingsAre the features examined sufficient for a finding on the question posed about the source of origin?

20Paint materials and coatingsWhat limitations are associated with small particle size, damage or contamination of the coating?

Microparticles and contact between objects

21Microparticles and contact between objectsWhat microparticles or deposits have been found on the surface under examination?

22Microparticles and contact between objectsWhich properties of the particles found are significant for comparison with the submitted samples?

23Microparticles and contact between objectsDo the particles found match the features of the comparison material within the scope of the examination?

24Microparticles and contact between objectsIs there a set of examined features relevant to assessing the suspected contact between objects?

25Microparticles and contact between objectsWhat alternative circumstances of particle transfer need to be taken into account?

26Microparticles and contact between objectsDo the source data allow features of the event to be distinguished from the effects of subsequent handling of the objects?

Vehicle paintwork and comparison samples

27Vehicle paintwork and comparison samplesWhat properties of the submitted vehicle coating particles have been established?

28Vehicle paintwork and comparison samplesWhat matches and differences have been identified between the particles and coating samples from the objects being compared?

29Vehicle paintwork and comparison samplesHow are repairs, repainting, use and contamination taken into account during comparison?

30Vehicle paintwork and comparison samplesWhat information about sample locations and the sequence of layers is needed for the examination?

31Vehicle paintwork and comparison samplesAre the available features sufficient to answer the question about the origin of the particles?

32Vehicle paintwork and comparison samplesWhat limitations prevent a finding on the circumstances of contact from coating particles alone?

Expert report review and limits of findings

33Expert report review and limits of findingsDoes the description of the objects match the submitted materials and packaging information?

34Expert report review and limits of findingsIs the selection of comparison samples justified for the question posed?

35Expert report review and limits of findingsDo the methods used match the objects' properties and the examination tasks?

36Expert report review and limits of findingsAre the examination conditions, limitations and results recorded to the extent needed to assess the findings?

37Expert report review and limits of findingsIs the progression from established matches and differences to the stated finding justified?

38Expert report review and limits of findingsWhat contradictions, omissions in source data or limits of competence have been identified during review of the opinion?

For a review

39For a reviewAre the comparison samples sufficient in quality and quantity?

40For a reviewAre the material's features distinguished from changes during storage?

41For a reviewIs the finding on similarity, differences or source of origin substantiated?

42For a reviewDo the findings address the questions posed?

43For a reviewAre the source materials and their limitations described adequately?

44For a reviewCan the examination process be verified from the description and appendices?

45For a reviewAre the analytical section and final findings consistent?

46For a reviewAre established facts distinguished from assumptions?

47For a reviewHave significant alternative explanations been considered?

48For a reviewWhich deficiencies may affect the report's validity?

These formulations are a starting point. Questions are refined according to the objects, available materials and the expert's competence.

How to formulate the assignment

Select questions relevant to your object, event and available materials. Specify the address or another way to identify the object, the period, documents and required result. The examples need to be refined for the specific order.

Limits of the questions

The examination addresses technical questions within the assignment and specialist knowledge. Legal classification, guilt, liability and the amount awarded are determined by the authorized body. Where the examination is court-ordered, the court determines the final set of questions.

Request an information letter for court · Article on questions for the expert

Discuss an examination

Describe the object and task. The scope of the preliminary consultation and examination terms are agreed for the specific task.

Type of examination Your name Contact phone number or email * Briefly describe the task * Attach photographs, documents, an opinion or a description of the objects I give consent to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of considering and responding to my enquiry.

How data is processed: Personal Data Processing Policy. Attach only the materials needed; where possible, conceal unnecessary data about other people.

Leave blank

For physical objects, it is important to preserve the packaging, keep objects stored separately and retain information about sample provenance.

Attachments: up to 10 files of up to 10 MB each, with a maximum combined size of 15 MB. If a file is rejected, the enquiry is not sent.

Questions for the expert

Objects and suitability of materials

Fibrous materials and products

Paint materials and coatings

Microparticles and contact between objects

Vehicle paintwork and comparison samples

Expert report review and limits of findings

For a review

How to formulate the assignment

Limits of the questions

Discuss an examination