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.
The process of identification and evaluation of biological evidence in criminal matters using DNA technologies, including DNA isolation and purification methods, data interpretation, statistical analysis, report writing, and courtroom testimony
DNA isolation and purification
A process by which the DNA concentration in a sample is determined.
A laboratory technique used to determine the sequence of bases (A, C, G, and T) in a DNA molecule.
An employee who is accountable for the technical operations of the laboratory and who is authorized to stop or suspend laboratory operations.1
Abbreviation for deoxynucleotide tri-phosphates; used in PCR as building blocks to construct new DNA strands.
The trained person who works the canine. (See canine handler.)
This term has two uses in this standard: Implementation domain refers to the group of organizations or agenciesthat have agreed to use a specified set of user-defined fields in a particularformat. This is the domain encoded in Field 1.013: Domain name /DOM. NIEM biometrics domain refers to an XML namespace that conforms withthe NIEM naming rules. It deals with biometric data. See Annex C:NIEM-conformant encoding rules for details.
Department of Transportation serial number assigned to every tire sold in the United States which gives information regarding the manufacturer, size, and date of manufacture of the tire.
Propellant containing nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin
In the evaluation of a canine team neither the assessor nor the canine handler knows the location of the target odor/scent or whether target odor/scent is present (i.e., a blank / null search).
Scientific usage: This condition occurs when neither the experimenter/canine handler, nor the observer/evaluator, knows which treatments/manipulations are given to which subjects. Operational usage: In the evaluation of a canine team, neither the assessor nor the canine handler knows the location of the target odor/scent or whether target odor/scent is present (i.e., a blank/null search).
Scientific usage: This condition occurs when neither the experimenter/canine handler, nor the observer/evaluator, knows which treatments/manipulations are given to which subjects. Operational usage: In the evaluation of a canine neither the assessor nor the canine handler knows the location of the target odor/scent or whether target odor/scent is present (i.e., a blank/null search).
In the evaluation of a canine neither the assessor nor the canine handler knows the location of the target scent or whether target scent is present (i.e., a blank/null search).
In the evaluation of a canine neither the assessor nor the canine handler knows the location of the target scent or whether target scent is present (i.e., a blank/null search).
In the evaluation of a canine neither the assessor nor the canine handler knows the location of the target scent or whether target scent is present (i.e., a blank/null search).
(1) in audio, image, and video analysis,to retrieve audio, video, image, or transactional data from a recording device (for example, DVR system); (2) in com- puter forensics, to receive data from another digital source.
(1) in audio, image, and video analysis, to retrieve audio, video, image, or transactional data from a recording device (for example, DVR system); (2) in computer forensics, to receive data from another digital source
A bloodstain pattern resulting from a liquid that dripped into another liquid, at least one of which was blood.
A bloodstain resuting from a falling drop that formed due to gravity
A bloodstain pattern resulting from the movement of a source of drip stains between two points.
The propensity of a canine to exhibit instinctual behaviors when faced with particular stimuli. Drives are triggered by these particular stimuli (e.g., food or retrieve) and expressed in a typical and predictable way that is associated with the particular stimulus. Drives can be enhanced or diminished through experience (e.g., training, environment, etc.), but they cannot be created or eliminated. Traditionally defined in the working canine literature as an exaggerated, instinctual response to certain stimuli and situations. Drive is most narrowly and clearly defined as a willingness, vigor, or enthusiasm to engage in certain behavior, contexts, or situations. (See food drive, rank drive, retrieve drive, and survival drive)
The propensity of a canine to exhibit instinctual behaviors when faced with particular stimuli. Drives are triggered by these particular stimuli (e.g., food or retrieve) and expressed in a typical and predictable way that is associated with the particular stimulus. Expression of drives can be enhanced or diminished through experience (e.g., training, environment, etc.), but they cannot be created or eliminated. Drive therefore reflects the motivation to perform a behavior.
The spread of fire by the dropping or falling of burning materials. Synonymous with 'fall down.'
Ordinate values within a dataset that did not receive enough signal during the measurement for aheight measurement to be acquired. These are often represented as NaN, zero, blank, or theminimum measured value.
When an individual is victimized while mentally or physically incapacitated due to the effects of ethanol and/or other drugs.
Bone that no longer retains its visco-elastic properties (it could still be associated with tissue, but that tissue would likely be mummified).
A method utilizing the layering of dry dental stone powder and misted water.
A method utilizing the layering of dry dental stone powder and misted water.
To release the firing pin on an unloaded chamber of a firearm.
An impression formed when the substrate, materials being transferred, and the outsole or tire tread are dry (e.g. footwear impressions in dust).
An impression formed when the substrate, materials being transferred, and the outsole or tire treadare dry (e.g. footwear impressions in dust).
an organic liquid that, when applied as a thin film, readily absorbs oxygen from the air and polymerizes to form a tough, elastic film.
A pair of tires mounted side-by-side on a fixed wheel assembly.
A canine trained in two disciplines. For example, a canine trained for narcotics and criminal apprehension.
A canine trained in two disciplines. For example, a canine trained for narcotics and criminal apprehension.
A cartridge that does not contain primer, propellant, or explosive charge and therefore cannot be fired
A cartridge that does not contain primer, propellant, or explosive charge and therefore cannot befired.
Digital versatile disc
Digital video recorder; A stand-alone embedded system or a computer-based system for recording video and, optionally, audio data
Soluble substances that add color to textiles
the removal of the dye from a fiber by incubating the fiber(s) in an appropriate solvent.
The removal of the dye from a fiber by incubating it in an appropriate solvent
see dynamic headspace concentration.
an extraction technique in which a portion of the headspace vapors is exchanged from the sample container and concentrated onto an adsorbent medium through applied positive or negative pressure.
an extraction technique in which a portion of the headspace vapors is exchanged from the sample container and concentrated onto an adsorbent medium through applied positive or negative pressure.
An extraction technique in which a portion of the headspace vapors is exchanged from the sample container and concentrated onto an adsorbent medium through applied positive or negative pressure
The difference between the brightest highlight and darkest value that a sensor can detect and record in a single image.
(1) in image analysis, the difference between the brightest highlight and darkest value that a sensor can detect and record in a single image; (2) in audio and video analysis, the ratio of the strongest (undistorted) signal to that of the weakest (discernible) signal in a unit or system as expressed in decibels (dB); (3) a way of stating the maximum signal-to-noise ratio.
(1) in image analysis, the difference between the brightest highlight and darkest value that a sensor can detect and record in a single image; (2) in audio and video analysis, the ratio of the strongest (undistorted) signal to that of the weakest (discernible) signal in a unit or system as expressed in decibels (dB); (3) a way of stating the maximum signal-to-noise ratio