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 generic gypsum product generally having a strength rating of 8,000 psi (55 mega pascal) or higher, commonly used to cast footwear and tire impressions.
Pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, it is the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age. That is, the number, type, and morpho-physiology (the physical shape) of the teeth of an animal.
Pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, it is the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age. That is, the number, type, and morpho-physiology (the physical shape) of the teeth of an animal.
A genetic material of organisms, usually double-stranded, a biopolymer composed of nucleic acids, identified by the presence of deoxyribose, a sugar, and the four nucleobases. DNA is a stable molecule; variations in the DNA sequence between individuals permits DNA testing to distinguish individuals from each other.
The variable whose value depends on that of other variables (independent variables). Typically, the variable of interest in an experiment or test.
Assignment of a canine team in an operational environment.
A record of the deployment and/or utilization of a trained canine team, maintained separately from other records, i.e., training, assessments or certifications. A record documenting the deployment and/or utilization of the canine team, especially an account of an act or occurrence kept in writing or some other permanent form, i.e., electronic format, which is discoverable. (See record, discipline-related deployment record.)
The demonstration that a developmentally-validated technology performs as expected within aspecific laboratory or organization. It involves the acquisition of test data using the proposedmethods and procedures to demonstrate that the expected outcome is reproducible and achievesreliable results.
Providing sworn testimony typically outside of a courtroom as part of discovery.
The combination of physical, chemical, biological, and cultural processes associated with a deposit in a particular type of environment that may contain human remains.
The record type / field / subfield / information item / value / file shall not be used whenclaiming conformance to this version of the standard. (different than 'legacy' )
The restriction of access to something desired by the canine such as food, social companions, or toys.
Biometric type record derived from a Type-20 source representation record, which maybe another Type-20 record from which other biometric type records are derived.
the process of removing an adsorbed material from the solid (adsorbent) on which it is adsorbed. (See also elution.)
Discussion—Desorption may be accomplished by heating, by reduction of pressure, by the presence of another more strongly adsorbed substance, or by a combination of these means.
testing, examination, re-examination, disassembly, or other actions likely to alter the original, as-found nature, state or condition of items of evidence so as to preclude or adversely affect additional examination and testing.
(1) A handler technique by which the handler will present productive area to the canine, usually by pointing or hand and arm sweeps. (2) Used to search a particular area in more detail or when a canine may have walked by to prompt the canine to search in a particular direction. (3) Used to prompt a canine to search high and low productive areas.
(1) sensing the existence of a fire, especially by a detector from one or more products of the fire, such as smoke, heat, infrared radiation, and the like. (2) the act or process of discovering and locating a fire.
an analytical signal from a recognized analyte was generated and can be tentatively identified.
A chemical marker added to plastic explosives to aid in detection by either instrumental or canine screening; also known as detection taggant.
Discussion—Detection agents include DMDNB; o-mononitrotoluene; p-mononitrotoluene; and EGDN.
A canine trained to detect and alert to the presence of certain scents or odors for which it has been trained. May be referred to as a law enforcement or search and rescue service canine, which is not to be confused with canines covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
a compound to slow the burning rate of a powder.
a flexible cord containing a central core of high explosives used to initiate high explosives along the cord's length; also known as detcord/primacord.
Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity greater than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium. [68, 2018]
propagation of a reaction zone at a velocity that is greater than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium.
the movement of the mobile phase through the adsorbent layer to form a chromatogram.
Intervals in the morphologic appearance of teeth as the crown or root mature.
The acquisition of test data and determination of conditions and limitations of a new methodology; this generally occurs while the conditions and parameters are being worked out prior to the establishment of a defined assay, procedure or product. Internal validation studies follow developmental validation studies.
The acquisition and evaluation of test data for the determination of the conditions and/or limitations under which a novel method will achieve consistent results.
The acquisition of test data and determination of conditions and limitations of a new methodology; this generally occurs while the conditions and parameters are being worked out prior to the establishment of a defined assay, procedure or product. Internal validation studies typically follow developmental validation studies.
The accumulation of test data to demonstrate that established parameters, software settings, formulae, algorithms and mathematical functions perform as expected. Developmental validation should also demonstrate any known limitations of the system. Developmental validation may be conducted outside the laboratory planning to use it (i.e., by the manufacturer, developer, or other testing laboratory) and will precede any internal validations
The acquisition of test data and determination of conditions and limitations of a new methodology.
See validation.
(Replacing worming) is the giving of an anthelmintic drug (a wormer, dewormer, or drench) to a human or animal to rid them of helminths parasites, such as roundworm, flukes and tapeworm.
(Replacing worming) is the giving of an anthelmintic drug (a wormer, dewormer, or drench) to a human or animal to rid them of helminths parasites, such as roundworm, flukes and tapeworm.
Radiographs, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and other diagnostic modalities used to assess and document condition, injury, or disease processes.
A MS or MS/MS molecular ion or fragment ion whose presence and abundance are characteristic of the targeted analyte.
A MS or MS/MS molecular ion or fragment ion whose presence and relative abundance are characteristic of the targeted analyte.
Class of checkwriter, not having a payee perforator or prefix, in which each symbol, numeral, or otherwise is individually and sequentially impressed.
A list giving the start and stop times of speech segments within the voice signal,pertaining to the subject of the record. Diarization of segments from multiple speakersrequires multiple Type-11 records, one for each speaker. These multiple Type-11records may be contained in a single transaction, as long as the transaction is focusedupon a single subject.
the property of exhibiting different colors, especially two different colors, when viewed along different axes by plane polarized light.
The standard Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
The standard Digital Imaging and Communications in Security published by theNational Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
A process through which all possible causes of a skeletal or dental anomaly/abnormality are considered. Through a careful process of elimination, only the most likely causes remain to aid in the identification of the pathological or anomalous condition(s) of the skeleton.
A method of DNA extraction where sperm and non-sperm cells are digested separately based on the different composition of the cell membranes resulting in the generation of a sperm fraction and a non-sperm cell fraction.
phenomenon that arises as a result of passing radiation through the "lens" of the microspectrometer and past the edges of objects such as apertures and the specimen. It causes radiation to deviate from its usually straight line causing blurring of what should be sharp images.
spectral artifacts that result from preferential diffraction of tube X-rays into the detector as a result of striking a crystalline sample.
Discussion—Diffraction peaks vary in energy and intensity depending on orientation of the crystalline planes with respect to the beam angle.