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.
any plot of signal intensity observed at a chosen m/z value or set of values in a series of mass spectra recorded as a function of time.
Any method of exporting data from a source.
Any method of exporting data from a source
Material originating from a source other than the specimen (synonyms: contaminant and foreign material)
Material originating from a source other than the specimen
Material originating from a source other than the specimen
An estimation of a drug concentration (e.g., ethanol) at a time other than the time of sample collection. There are two types of extrpolation: back [retrograde] and forward [anterograde] extrapolation
A class of smokeless powders produced by an extrusion process where the final grain morphologies are disc or cylinder
Organization responsible for recovering corneas/eyes from donors.
in textiles, a planar structure consisting of yarns or fibers.
In textiles, a planar structure consisting of yarns or fibers
In facial identification, the automated determination of the presence of human faces in digital images.
In facial identification, the automated determination of the presence of human faces in digital images
In facial identification,(1) by automated systems, the automated searching of a facial image as a probe in a facial recognition system (one-to-many), typically resulting in a group (candidate list) of facial images being returned to a human operator in ranked order based on system-evaluated similarity; (2) by humans, the mental process by which an observer identifies a person as being one they have seen before.
In facial identification, (1) by automated systems, the automated searching of a facial image as a probe in a facial recognition system (one-to-many), typically resulting in a group (candidate list) of facial images being returned to a human operator in ranked order based on system-evaluated similarity; (2) by humans, the mental process by which an observer identifies a person as being one they have seen before
An investigative technique combining anatomical knowledge, artistic capability, and forensic anthropological evidence to render an estimate of an individuals facial appearance in life.
In facial identification, a manual pro- cess to identify similarities or dissimilarities between two (or more) facial images or facial image(s) and a live subject for the purpose of determining if they represent the same person or different person.
In facial identification, a manual process to identify similarities or dissimilarities between two (or more) facial images or facial image(s) and a live subject for the purpose of determining if they represent the same person or different person
Gross features considered in virtually all comparisons
Gross features considered in virtually all comparisons
In facial identification, a formal sys- tematic facial comparison.
In facial identification, a formal systematic facial comparison
The discipline of image-based comparisons of human facial features
The discipline of image-based comparisons of human facial features
in facial identication, the process of collecting a biometric sample from an individual by means of a sensor.
In facial identification, the process of collecting a biometric sample from an individual by means of a sensor
The process of landmarking defined an- thropological points.
The process of landmarking defined anthropological points
See face recognition.
See face recognition
In facial identification, an adjudication of a candidate list.
In facial identification, an adjudication of a candidate list
Distortion, breakage, deterioration, or other fault in an item, component, system, assembly, or structure that results in unsatisfactory performance of the function for which it was designed.
A logical, systematic examination of an item, component, assembly, or structure and its place and function within a system, conducted in order to identify and analyze the probability, causes, and consequences of potential and real failures.
A logical, systematic examination of an item, component, assembly, or structure and its place and function within a system, conducted in order to identify and analyze the probability, causes, and consequences of potential and real failures.
See drop down.
An indication/trained final response demonstrated by the canine in the absence of the target odor/scent; a situation in which the canine exhibits the trained final response in the absence of the odor/scent on which he/she was trained to find.
An indication/trained final response demonstrated by the canine in the absence of the target odor/scent; a situation in which the canine exhibits the trained final response in the absence of the odor/scent on which he /she was trained to find.
An indication/trained final response demonstrated by the canine in the absence of the target odor/scent; a situation in which the canine exhibits the trained final response in the absence of the odor/scent on which he or she was trained to find.
A depression or void that is intentionally created in a search environment by the assessor/ evaluator/handler that does not contain and has not contained the odor of human remains. This is a distractor depression or void.
Any location, person, or item incorrectly identified by the canine handler. (See false alert)
Operational usage: A response indicating that something is not true or not present when it is true or present. Scientific usage: Type II error.
Operational usage: A response indicating that something is not true or not present when it is true or present. Scientific usage: Type II error.
A response indicating that something is true or present when it is not true or absent. Scientific usage: Type I error.
A result that shows something is present when it really is not
A response indicating that something is true or present when it is not true or absent. Scientific usage: Type I error.
A response indicating that something is true or present when it is not true or absent. Scientific usage: Type I error.
Within this document the false positive rate is defined as the number (or percentage) of Known Non-Matches which are incorrectly determined to be an Identification.
In a controlled environment, the canine responds as if a trained substance was present when it is known that it is not. (See false positive.)
Acronym for Fingerprint Acquisition12 Profile. It is a series of sets of progressivelymore stringent parameters and requirements relevant to fingerprint acquisition.[2015a>] In the Mobile ID Best Practices Recommendations Version 1, face, finger andiris application profiles were all referred to as SAP. They are referred to separately inthis standard. This was changed in Mobile ID Best Practices RecommendationsVersion 2 to be consistent with this standard. [