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.
In audio, image, and video analysis, to improve the perceptual recognition or quality of a signal of interest.
In audio, image, and video analysis, to improve the perceptual recognition or quality of a signal of interest
Improving the visibility of an impression through physical, photographic, digital, optical, or chemical means
In audio, image, and video analysis, the process of improving the perceptual recognition or quality of a signal of interest.
In audio, image, and video analysis, the process of improving the perceptual recognition or quality of a signal of interest
To capture a biometric sample, extract the relevant features, convert them to a template, and use it to form a reference for matching. features, convert them to a template, and use it to form a reference for matching. DISCUSSIONEnrollment most often is performed to populate a gallery, but it can also refer to the creation of a probe.
To capture a biometric sample, extract the relevant features, convert them to a template, and use it to form a reference for matching
Computer systems or networks or both integral to the operation of a company or large entity, possibly global in scope
An exemplar image containing all four full-finger views for a single finger.(See Figure 4)
The process of air or gases being drawn into a fire, plume, or jet.
See acclimation.
The process of improving the mental and physical welfare of animals by providing behavioral choices through enhancements to their environment.
The process of improving the mental and physical welfare of animals by providing behavioral choices through enhancements to their environment.
The ability of the canine to work, maneuver, search and rest in various conditions of noise, odor, surfaces without demonstrating fear or anxiety.
The ability of the canine to work, maneuver, search and rest in various conditions of noise, odor, surfaces without demonstrating fear or anxiety
Instruction and evaluation procedures used to teach a canine to work, and determine whether a canine can work, in a variety of operational environments with increasing biological and physical complexity, which may distract or inhibit the canine from work. The training and testing, respectively, are designed to teach the canine to work, and assure that the canine can work, in a variety of operational environments, some of which may be extreme.
A catalytic protein that can speed up a specific chemical reaction without being changed or consumed in the process.
Set of laboratory tools, apparatus, and hardware used to process test items (for example, ovens, beakers, pipettes, vortexers, fume hoods, etc.)
A peak resulting from incomplete deposition of the energy of an X-ray entering the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer detector. This peak is produced when an incoming X-ray excites a silicon atom within the detector crystal, and the resulting Si K-a fluorescence X-ray exits the detector crystal. It occurs at the principal peak energy minus the energy of the Si K-a fluorescence X-ray (1.74 keV). The escape peak intensity is about 1 to 2 % of the parent peak.
A peak resulting from incomplete deposition of the energy of an X-ray entering the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer detector. DiscussionThis peak is produced when an incoming X-ray excites a silicon atom within the detector crystal, and the resulting Si K-_ fluorescence X-ray exits the detector crystal. It occurs at the principal peak energy minus the energy of the Si K-_ fluorescence X-ray (1.74 keV). The escape peak intensity is about 1 to2%ofthe parent peak.
Peak resulting from incomplete deposition of the energy of an X-ray entering the EDS detector
a spectral artifact resulting from incomplete deposition of the energy of an X-ray entering the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer detector.
Discussion—An escape peak is produced when an incoming X-ray excites a silicon atom within the detector crystal, and the resulting Si Kα fluorescence X-ray exits the detector crystal. It occurs at the energy for the original X-ray minus the energy of the Si Kα fluorescence X-ray (1.74 keV). The escape peak intensity is about 1-2 % of the parent peak.
A conditioning technique in which the subject canine learns to escape or terminate an unpleasant stimulus.
The relationship between a performance and an aversive stimulus in which the performance terminates the aversive stimulus.
The estimated age interval expresses the mathematically determined minimum and maximum associated age range at a particular level of uncertainty.
A soling compound often produced in an expanded form.
An individual with relevant training and experience in the discipline being evaluated, who assesses the performance of canine, canine handler, or canine team while showing no bias or partiality. (See certifying official/assessor.)
the change of a substance from the liquid phase to the gaseous or vapor phase, which can occur at or below the normal boiling point of the liquid.
A body of facts, information, or material objects indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
A body of facts, information, or material objects indicating whether a theory or proposition is true or valid.
A body of facts, information, or material objects indicating whether a theory or proposition is true or valid.
A body of facts, information, or material objects indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
The process of a canine locating and indicating items that contain a trained odor/human scent. This may be non-specific or targeted based on the discipline. (See article search.)
The process of a canine locating and indicating items that contain a trained human scent. This may be non-targeted or targeted based on the discipline.
A canine trained to locate and indicate items in question by means of detecting a trained odor/ human scent.
Data derived from biological specimens of unknown source.
A photograph that contains sufficient quality of information for the purpose of conducting a forensic footwear and tire examination.
A photograph that contains sufficient quality of information for the purpose of conducting aforensic footwear and tire examination.
In facial identification, an individual whose role it is to perform a facial examination.
In facial identification, an individual whose role it is to perform a facial examination
An individual authorized to conduct independent friction ridge examinations for the forensic service provider by observing and interpreting data, making decisions, forming conclusions and opinions, issuing reports and/or providing testimony. Use of the term “examiner” in these documents refers to a “competent friction ridge examiner” and not a “trainee.”
Although NIEM contains thousands of elements it does not contain everything needed inan XML exchange. It contains the most common building blocks. In addition,implementers can define, in other exchange schemas, user-defined elements from theimplementers domain.
a filter used in fluorescence microscopy that transmits specific bands or wavelengths of energy capable of inducing visible fluorescence in various substrates.
A filter used in fluorescence microscopy that transmits specific bands or wavelengths of energy capable of inducing visible fluorescence in various substrates
A result that compared items did not originate from the same source, are not the same substance, or do not share the same composition or classification, based on an exclusionary difference.
Also referenced in ASB 097, Terminology Used for Forensic Footwear and Tire Evidence.
A type of location search in which a scent match is not indicated by the canine thereby excluding an individual as the scent contributor.
The result of a comparison between two hair samples in which the characteristics of the questioned hair differ from those present in the known hair sample, and therefore the donor of the known sample cannot be included as a possible source of the questioned hair. DiscussionThis result is reached in a compara- tive hair examination when differences are noted in the macroscopic or microscopic characteristics between the ques- tioned and known hairs; however, the differences are insufficient for an absolute exclusion of a person as a possible source. This could be due to the natural variation that occurs in hairs as a biological specimen, the effect that time or environment can have upon a hair, or the reference sample does not capture the complete variation of the individual's hair.
the result of a comparison between two hair samples in which the characteristics of the questioned hair differ from those present in the known hair sample, and therefore the donor of the known sample cannot be included as a possible source of the questioned hair.
Discussion—This result is reached in a comparative hair examination when differences are noted in the macroscopic or microscopic characteristics between the questioned and known hairs; however, the differences are insufficient for an absolute exclusion of a person as a possible source. This could be due to the natural variation that occurs in hairs as a biological specimen, the effect that time or environment can have upon a hair, or the reference sample does not capture the complete variation of the individual’s hair.
The result of a comparison between two hair samples in which exclusionary differences are observed in the characteristics of the questioned hair that are not present in the known hair sample, and therefore the donor of the known sample can be excluded as a possible source of the questioned hair. DiscussionThis result is reached in a compara tive hair examination when exclusionary differences (for example, color, characteristics indicative of ancestry) are noted in the macroscopic or microscopic characteristics between the questioned and known hairs. In these circumstances, the source of the known hairs, as represented by the known sample, is eliminated as a possible source of the questioned hair.
the result of a comparison between two hair samples in which exclusionary differences are observed in the characteristics of the questioned hair that are not present in the known hair sample, and therefore the donor of the known sample can be excluded as a possible source of the questioned hair.
Discussion—This result is reached in a compara- tive hair examination when exclusionary differences (for example, color, characteristics indicative of ancestry) are noted in the macroscopic or microscopic characteristics between the questioned and known hairs. In these circumstances, the source of the known hairs, as represented by the known sample, is eliminated as a possible source of the questioned hair.