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.
Demonstrated and documented ability of an individual to perform assigned work in a discipline or subdiscipline, in accordance with a laboratory's technical procedures and training manuals, before the performance of independent casework.
A ground-truth test that demonstrates that a forensic science service provider has acquired specialized knowledge, skills and abilities in the standard practices necessary to conduct specific tasks or examinations in a discipline prior to performing independent casework.
A test designed to establish that an individual has demonstrated achievement of technical skills and met minimum standards of knowledge necessary to perform forensic DNA analysis.
Evaluation of a persons knowledge and ability to perform work before authorization to do so independently.
A test used to demonstrate an individual's ability to successfully conduct an examination(s) prior toperforming casework.
A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience to train canines and canine handlers.
A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience to train canines and canine handlers.
A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, and experience to train canines and canine handlers, who has demonstrated, through education, training, and operational experience, extensive skills and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.
A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, and experience to train canines and canine handlers, who has demonstrated, through education, training, and operational experience, extensive skills and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.
A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, and experience to train canines and canine handlers, who has demonstrated, through education, training, and operational experience, extensive skills and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.
An ignition source that has sufficient energy and is capable of transferring that energy to the fuel long enough to raise the fuel to its ignition temperature. (See 19.4.2.)
A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, and experience to train canines and canine handlers, who has demonstrated, through education, training, and operational experience, extensive skills and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.
Software that translates a high-level program into a form that can be executed by a computer
An expression of dissatisfaction by any person or organization to an organization relating to its product or service, or the complaints-handling process itself, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected. Complaints can be written, electronic, or oral, and may originate internally or externally.
expression of dissatisfaction by any person or organization to a laboratory (3.6), relating to the activitiesor results of that laboratory, where a response is expected[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17000:2004, 6.5, modified The words other than appeal have been deleted, andthe words a conformity assessment body or accreditation body, relating to the activities of that bodyhave been replaced by a laboratory, relating to the activities or results of that laboratory.]
expression of dissatisfaction, other than appeal, by any person or organization to an inspection body, relatingto the activities of that body, where a response is expectedNOTE Adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2004, definition 6.5.
Expression of dissatisfaction, other than appeal, by any person or organization to an inspection body, relating to the activities of that body, where a response is expected
Sophisticated computer programming that contains multiple interconnected modules or components. Complex software systems have components whose interactions evolve. The set of possible states of the system can be infinite, unbounded, and most importantly, changing.
A characteristic of a comparison in which the attributes of one or both impressions may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures relating to the evaluation of a source conclusion.
A characteristic of an impression whose attributes may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures.
Detailed features of the facial components
Detailed features of the facial components
A single analog video signal that combines a base-band luminance signal with color informa- tion by modulating a subcarrier with chroma signals, typi- cally using one of the National Television System Commit- tee (NTSC), Phase Alternating Line (PAL), or Sequential Color with Memory (SECAM) systems.
A single analog video signal that combines a base-band luminance signal with color information by modulating a subcarrier with chroma signals, typically using one of the National Television System Committee (NTSC), Phase Alternating Line (PAL), or Sequential Color with Memory (SECAM) systems
A process to reduce the size of a data file or stream while attempting to retain the original semantic meaning of that data.
Process of reducing the size of a data file (see lossy compression and lossless compression).
A process to reduce the size of a data file or stream while attempting to retain the original semantic meaning of that data
A method for making footwear outsoles and tires where the material is placed into an open mold, which is then closed and subjected to heat, time, and pressure.
The ratio of the size of the data before compression to that of after compression.
The ratio of the size of the data before compression to that of after compression
The scientific examination, analysis, or evaluation of digital evidence in legal matters.
The scientific examination, analysis, or evaluation of digital evidence in legal matters
The canine's focus on the area of search (further specification will be discipline specific).
For the purpose of this guide, the following ranges shall apply: major: greater than 10 %; minor: 1 to 10 %; and trace: less than 1 %
The amount of a constituent expressed as a mass or volume divided by the total amount of material expressed as a mass or volume.
Opinion stated by an examiner after interpretation of observed data. The opinion is the personal judgement that the observed data can offer support for one proposition over another. A conclusion is distinct from a “proposition.”
Analyzed at or close to the same time under the same analytical conditions (e.g., same instrument and instrumental parameters).
Analyzed at or close to the same time under the same analytical conditions (i.e., same instrument and instrumental parameters).
As a result of classical conditioning, an event that is initially neutral will acquire aversive properties because it is paired with other aversive events.
Fear in response to a previously neutral stimulus caused by aversive conditioning and/or event.
A previously neutral stimulus that has become reinforcing because of its association with a primary reinforcer. A stimulus that becomes a reinforcer because it is paired with another reinforcer, usually a primary reinforcer. If conditioned reinforcers are not maintained by periodically pairing them with primary reinforcers, they will lose their reinforcing value.
In classical or Pavlovian conditioning, a conditioned response (CR) is produced by pairing a conditioned stimulus (CS) with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). (See 3.74 classical conditioning.)
In classical or Pavlovian conditioning a previously neutral stimulus (NS) becomes the conditioned stimulus (CS) and evokes the conditioned response (CR) after it is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). (See classical conditioning.)
(1) A general term that explains how animals learn the connection between stimuli, events, and actions. (2) Physical conditioning is a process by which an animal develops cardiovascular and respiratory stamina.
Heat transfer to another body or within a body by direct contact.
(1) A conditioned level of ability to operate independently in different environments as developed with training. (2) The innate ability of each canine to operate independently in different environments.
A test that is specific for the presence of a body fluid, stain, or residue of interest, and reduces or eliminates false positive results
A test that is specific for the presence of a body fluid, stain, or residue of interest, and reduces or eliminates false positive results.
An alert for which the presence of a trained odor/scent can be verified or corroborated. Also referred to as a 'hit', 'find' and/or 'positive response'.
Verification of search results following a deployment of a canine team(s).