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.
Testingtesting, 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.
an analytical signal from a recognized analyte was generated and can be tentatively identied.
An analytical signal from a recognized analyte was generated and can be tentatively identified.
(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.
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).
Peak resulting from the emission of characteristic X-rays in a thin layer of inactive crystal area in the front of an EDS detector
A compound to slow the burning rate of a powder
Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity greater than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium. [68, 2018]
A flexible cord containing a central core of high explosives used to initiate high explosives along the cords length; also known as detcord/primacord.
The movement of the mobile phase through the adsorbent layer to form a chromatogram
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 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; 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 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 follow developmental validation studies.
(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.
A MS or MS/MS molecular ion or fragment ion whose presence and relative abundance are characteristic of the targeted analyte.
A MS or MS/MS molecular ion or fragment ion whose presence and abundance are characteristic of the targeted analyte.
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 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 Security published by theNational Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
The standard Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine published by the National 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.
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.
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.
an instrument that records either powder or single-crystal X-ray diffraction patterns.
A flame in which fuel and air mix or diffuse together at the region of combustion.
A gas, vapor, dust, particulate, aerosol, mist, fog, or hybrid mixture of these, suspended in the atmosphere, which is capable of being ignited and propagating a flame front.
The measure of how much of the nutrient in a food the canine can extract and absorb.
The measure of how much of the nutrient in a food the canine can extract and absorb.
Electronic equipment which can create, process or store digital data
Electronic equipment which can create, process or store digital data.
Information of probative value that is stored or transmitted in binary form that may be relied upon in court
Information of probative value that is stored or transmitted in binary form
Science of identifying, collecting, preserving, documenting, examining, and analyzing evidence from computer systems, the results of which may be relied upon in court
In image analysis, a photographic image that is represented by discrete numerical values organized in a two-dimensional array
In image analysis, a photographic image that is represented by discrete numerical values organized in a two-dimensional array.
An image that is stored in numerical form.
A standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging
Any activity that develops/enhances a digital image.
Any activity that transforms a digital image.