OSAC Lexicon
The OSAC Lexicon is a compendium of forensic science terms and definitions. This terminology tool was created to help bring consistency and understanding to the way terms are used by the various forensic science. Use of the OSAC Lexicon does not replace the need to reference the original published source.
The terms and definitions in the OSAC Lexicon come from the published literature, including documentary standards and technical reports. It is continually updated with the latest work from OSAC units, as well as terms from newly published documentary standards and standards elevated to the OSAC Registry.
Gradually terms are evaluated and harmonized by the OSAC to a single term. This process results in an OSAC Preferred Term. An OSAC Preferred Term is a term, along with its definition, that has undergone review and evaluation by the FSSB Terminology Task Group and has been approved by the FSSB. The FSSB recommends that subcommittees use OSAC Preferred Terms when drafting standards.
The OSAC Lexicon should be the primary resource for terminology and used when drafting and editing forensic science standards and other OSAC work products.
A type of response that the canine displays/indicates in a manner that may disturb the environment and or forensic evidence (i.e., dig, bark, scratch, paw, jump, and bite after thedetector canine has detected a trained scent).
A type of response that the canine displays/indicates in a manner that may disturb the environment and or forensic evidence (i.e., dig, bark, scratch, paw, jump, and bite after the detector canine has detected a trained odor/scent).
a form of carbon characterized by high adsorptivity for many gases, vapors, and colloidal solids that is typically activated by heating to 800–900°C with steam or carbon dioxide, which results in a porous internal structure; also known as activated charcoal.
a homogenous mixture of activated charcoal and an inert polymer formed into a strip; a convenient adsorption medium for fire debris analysis.
homogenous mixture of activated charcoal and an inert polymer formed into a strip; a convenient adsorption medium
The subconscious impulse to be constantly physically active.
A system that uses moving mechanical or electrical parts to achieve a fire protection goal.
The American Dental Association
Materials that are included in adhesive or backing formulations to increase overall volume, impart color, or provide other desired properties.
Any substance added in a small quantity to improve properties. Additives can include substances such as driers, corrosion inhibitors, catalysts, ultraviolet absorbers, plasticizers, etc.
Any substance added in a small quantity to improve properties; additives include substances such as driers, corrosion inhibitors, catalysts, ultraviolet absorbers, and plasticizers.
A material that holds two or more objects together solely by intimate surface contact.
Any material coated with a tacky substance for the purpose of lifting impressions.
Any material coated with a tacky substance for the purpose of lifting impressions.
Any material coated with a tacky substance for the purpose of lifting impressions.
Semi-solid/liquid (cheesy) decomposition product of human remains.
set of operations carried out on a measuring system so that it provides prescribed indications corresponding to given values of the quantity to be measuredc
c: Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM), International vocabulary of metrology - Basic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM) (Sèvres, France: International Bureau of Weights and Measures [BIPM]- JCGM 200) available from: https://www.bipm.org/en/publications/guides.
The individual who oversees, but does not participate in, the evaluation; this will usually be, but is not restricted to, the technical leader.
A court determination whether the trier of fact may hear and consider the proffered evidence.
A witness that has been deemed to have done something wrong.
Accessory visual structures.
The interval in human dental development that begins after all primary teeth are normally shed, and the permanent teeth are developing or developed. The adolescent interval ends when all permanent teeth present are fully developed. Note: During the adolescent and adult dental age intervals, primary teeth may be atypically retained for various reasons, including congenital absence or ectopic eruption of the permanent teeth that would typically replace them.
Adaptive pulse code modulation
Adaptive pulse code modulation
a substance that has the ability to condense or hold molecules of other substances on its surface. Hawley’s8
DISCUSSION—Activated carbon, activated alumina, silica gels, Tenax,9 and some stationary phase-coated SPME fibers are examples of adsorbents or adsorbent devices.
adherence of atoms, ions, or molecules of a gas or liquid to the surface of another substance. Hawley’s7
The interval begins when human dental development ends and all permanent teeth have completely formed crowns and roots and continues throughout life. Note: During the adolescent and adult dental age intervals, primary teeth may be atypically retained for various reasons, including congenital absence or ectopic eruption of the permanent teeth that would typically replace them.
Advanced encryption standard
Advanced encryption standard
Observable response(s) that reinforce social bonds within a group/promote group cohesion (e.g., relaxed, neutral body language and related tail position and movement, willingness and ability to engage in safe, positive interactions with people and other dogs; play with, grooming or licking of others, attention-solicitation).
Automated Fingerprint Identification System
Automated facial recognition
Automatic Gain Control. A closed-loop regulating circuit which provides a controlled signal amplitude at its output,despite variation of the amplitude in the input signal.
Automatic gain control is an adaptive system that effectively reduces the amplitude orenergy of an audio signal if it is strong and raises it when it is weaker.
The estimated age and estimated age interval derived from the dental developmental stage or stages present at the time an individual's estimated age is calculated by the forensic dental age assessment practitioner. (For example, the mean age for a subject with observed dental characteristics similar to the individual being evaluated is estimated to be 10.34 years with a minimum and maximum age distribution of 8.67 to 14.33 years on the day of assessment).
Information that can be processed to generate normal distribution data or percentile data and assembled to create a reference data set.
Specific human scent that has been present for a period longer than 24 hours.
Specific human scent that has been present for a period longer than 24 hours.
Specific human scent that has been present for a period longer than 24 hours
A specific human scent pathway that has been present for a period longer than 24 hours.