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.
collecting of units or parts into a mass or whole.
The collecting of units or parts into a mass or whole.
The collecting of units or parts into a whole.
The collecting of units or parts into a mass or whole.
Description of an act of a canine that is an outcome of an agonistic interaction. It can be appropriate or inappropriate, and involve a threat, challenge or contest. NOTE: The word 'aggressive' is often used as a descriptive term for intense, enthusiastic, or forceful behavior of any kind, and these canines may not be truly aggressive or possess aggression.
Behavioral response(s) communicating threat of harm or behaviors that could inflict harm toward another individual. It can be appropriate or inappropriate, and involve a threat, challenge or contest. NOTE The word 'aggressive' is often used incorrectly as a descriptive term for intense, enthusiastic, or forceful behavior of any kind, and these canines may not be truly aggressive or possess aggression.
The Audio Interchange File Format stores audio data in uncompressed pulse-codemodulation (PCM). The file extensions commonly used are '.aiff' and 'aif'. There is acompressed variant which has the extension '.aifc', but in reality, sometimes acompressed version is stored with the file extension '.aiff'. See http://wwwmmsp.ece.mcgill.ca/Documents/AudioFormats/AIFF/Docs/AIFF-1.3…
A globule of air trapped within a solid material such as a footwear outsole.
A technique used by a canine to locate a target odor/scent. The canine searches for the target odor/scent on wind/air currents and attempts to identify/work on an odor/scent cone to the source of the odor/scent.
A characteristic change in ongoing behavior in response to a trained odor/scent, as interpreted by the canine handler. The components of the alert may include: change of behavior (COB), interest, and final response or indication. . (See final response, and indication.)
A characteristic change in ongoing behavior in response to a trained scent, as recognized by the canine handler. The components of the alert may include: change of behavior (COB), interest, and final response or indication. (See 3.31 final response.)
A characteristic change in ongoing behavior in response to a trained scent, as recognized by the canine handler. The components of the alert may include: change of behavior (COB), interest, and final response or indication. (See 3.31 final response.)
A characteristic change in ongoing behavior in response to a trained scent, as recognized by the canine handler. The components of the alert may include: change of behavior (COB), interest, and final response or indication. (See 3.31 final response.)
known location suggested or linked to a subject (for example, a subject’s home) that is distinct from the crime scene.
a known location suggested or linked to a subject (for example, a subject’s home) that is distinct from the crime scene.
Discussion—The term alibi or alibi location can be perceived negatively, but comparisons of geological materials from alibi locations can be exonerating. Alibi location is used in this document to be succinct, however use of this term in documentation of evidence, evidence examination reports, or courtroom testimony is discouraged.
descriptive of one of the major groups of organic compounds, characterized by normal, branched-, or cyclic chain arrangement of the constituent carbon atoms, but does not include aromatic compounds.
a class of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having two double bonds; also known as diene.
a class of aliphatic hydrocarbons characterized by a straight or branched carbon chain; generic formula CnH2n+2; also known as paraffin. Hawley’s10
DISCUSSION—In the plural form, also sometimes used to refer to the general class of aliphatic compounds that includes branched, normal, and cycloalkanes.
a class of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons hav- ing one or more double bond(s); also known as olefin.
DISCUSSION—In the plural form, also sometimes used in fire debris analysis to refer to the general class of aliphatic compounds with one or more double bonds.
One member of a series of possible alternative forms of a DNA sequence found at aparticular genetic location.
One of two or more versions of a genetic sequence at a particular location in the genome.
The value identified for the allele, either via expert system or by an analyst.
in computer forensics, the portions of storage that are assigned or reserved for active instructions or for data.
In computer forensics, the portions of storage that are assigned or reserved for active instructions or for data.
The result of changing something.
A bloodstain with characteristics that indicate a physical change has occurred.
Equipment used to produce light at various wavelengths to enhance or visualize potential items ofevidence.
Equipment used to produce light (or to restrict light) at various wavelengths to enhance or visualize potential items of evidence.
Equipment used to produce light (or to restrict light) at various wavelengths to enhance orvisualize potential items of evidence
Someone's or something's surroundings, especially as they pertain to the local environment; for example, ambient air and ambient temperature.
A report used to document any subsequent modifications, particularly those that affect or correct an original result or interpretation
A voluntary national, not-for-profit, independent professional certification board that has been established to promote the highest standards of practice for medicolegal death investigators (see www.abmdi.org).
The United States' largest dental association and the leading source of oral health-related information for dentists and their patients
The maximum current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating.
The unit of electric current that is equivalent to a flow of one coulomb per second; one coulomb is defined as 6.24 _ 1018 electrons.
Any PCR amplification product.
An increase in the number of copies of a specific DNA fragment. In forensic DNA testing laboratories, this refers to the use of the PCR technique to produce many more copies of fragments at specific genetic loci from samples of known and unknown origin for the purpose of generating DNA profiles for comparison.
An increase in the number of copies of a specific DNA fragment; can be in vivo or in vitro. In forensic DNA testing laboratories, this refers to the use of the PCR technique to produce many more copies of DNA at specific genetic loci.
the active growth phase of a hair follicle in the hair growth cycle.
Discussion—The root from a pulled anagen hair is elongated and is usually fully pigmented.
The active growth phase of a hair follicle in the hair growth cycle. Discussion - The root from a pulled anagen hair is elongated and is usually fully pigmented (reference: Harding, H., and Rogers, G., Physiology and growth of human hair, In Robertson, J. (Ed.), Forensic Examination of Hair, London: Taylor and Francis, 1999, pp.177.)
A qualified individual who conducts and/or directs the analysis of forensic casework samples, interprets data, reaches conclusions, and/or issues reports concerning conclusions.
A qualified individual who conducts and/or directs the analysis of forensic casework samples, interprets data, reaches conclusions, and/or issues reports concerning conclusions.
A chemical substance to be identified and/or measured.
Includes all targeted compounds in a screening assay, as well as compounds being quantitated and/or confirmed
A set of standards, controls, and/or case samples that are contemporaneously prepared and/or analyzed a particular sequence..