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 distance from the optical center of a lens to its point of focus at the sensor or image plane when focused at infinity.
Surface topography measurement method whereby the sharpness of the surface image (or anotherproperty of the reflected light at optimum focus) in an optical microscope is used to determine thesurface height at each position along the surface.
Tissue from a hair follicle that is still attached to the root end of a hair which has been forcibly removed.
The innate impulse to work to obtain food.
The subconscious impulse to work to obtain food.
Pertaining to the use of analytic / scientific techniques to establish or verify identity - inthis standard, it applies to the examination and mark-up of images (sometimes manually).
Forensic anthropology is the application of anthropological methods and theoryparticularly those relating to the recovery and analysis of human remainsto resolve legal matters.
Forensic anthropology is the application of anthropological methods and theoryparticularlythose relating to the recovery and analysis of human remainsto resolve legal matters.
Any environment where human remains and material associations, potentially relevant in a medicolegal setting, may be recovered, and where a forensic anthropology or forensic archaeology practitioner is requested to assist a jurisdictional authority.
A forensic anthropologist is an individual with at least a masters degree in forensic anthropology, biological anthropology, or related field, and who also has forensic anthropology case experience or training involving fragmentary, burned, and otherwise taphonomically-altered human skeletal remains. They also must have training or experience in producing a biological profile (age, sex, stature, ancestry), and interpreting human skeletal trauma. NOTE Board-certified forensic anthropologists possess a Ph.D. in forensic anthropology/biological anthropology or related field and are certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA).
A forensic anthropologist is an individual with at least a masters degree in forensic anthropology,biological anthropology, or related field, and who also has forensic anthropology case experience ortraining involving fragmentary, burned, and otherwise taphonomically-altered human skeletalremains. They also must have training or experience in producing a biological profile (age, sex,stature, ancestry), and interpreting human skeletal trauma.NOTE Board-certified forensic anthropologists possess a Ph.D. in forensic anthropology/biologicalanthropology or related field and are certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA).
The scientific examination, analysis, comparison, or evaluation of audio
The scientific examination, analysis, comparison, or evaluation of audio.
An autopsy authorized by law, and typically performed under the jurisdiction of a medical examiner or coroner for criminal justice and public health purposes.
Creating a bit stream duplicate of the available data from one physical media to another
Creating a bit stream duplicate of the available data from one physical media to another.
An individual who provides an assessment of an individual's dental age based upon accepted methodology. Note: The term 'practitioner' will be used instead of 'Forensic Dental age assessment Practitioner' throughout this document as an abbreviated way to describe an individual who provides an assessment of an individual's dental age based upon accepted methodology.
The use of DNA technologies for the evaluation of biological evidence that may be involved in legal matters.
The application of science to answer questions of interest to the legal system.
See image
See image.
That part of dentistry, which deals with the examination, interpretation, and presentation of dental and oral evidence for legal purposes.
The practice of medicine in which the principles of pathology are applied to problems of potential legal, public health, or public safety significance; a common function is the performance of autopsies to determine the cause of death and assist in determining the manner of death.
A physician who is board-certified in anatomic pathology or anatomic and clinical pathology, as well as forensic pathology.
A physician who is certified in forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology (ABP) or who, prior to 2006, has completed a training program in forensic pathology that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education or its international equivalent or has been officially 'qualified for examination' in forensic pathology by the ABP.
Biological sample recovered from a crime scene or collected from persons or objects associated with a crime.
The application of scientific principles and techniques to matters of criminal justice especially as relating to the collection, examination, and analysis of physical evidence.
An individual who (1) applies scientific or technical practices to the recognition, collection, analysis, or interpretation of evidence at issue in criminal, civil, or administrative investigations and proceedings, and (2) issues test results, provides reports, or provides interpretations, conclusions, or opinions through testimony with respect to such evidence.
An individual who (1) applies scientific or technical practices to the recognition, collection, analysis, or interpretation of evidence for criminal and civil law or regulatory issues; and (2) issues test results, provides reports, or provides interpretations, conclusions, or opinions through testimony with respect to such evidence
an individual who (1) applies scientific or technical practices to the recognition, collection, analysis, or interpretation of evidence for criminal and civil law or regulatory issues; and (2) issues test results, provides reports, or provides interpretations, conclusions, or opinions through testimony with respect to such evidence
An individual who (1) applies scientific or technical practices to the recognition, collection, analysis, or interpretation of evidence for criminal and civil law or regulatory issues; and (2) issues test results, provides interpretations, or opinions through reports or testi- mony with respect to such evidence.
An organization or individual that provides forensic science services.
Also referenced in ANSI/ASB 017 Standard Practices for Measurement Traceability in Forensic Toxicology, ASTM E1732-24ae1 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, ANSI/ASTM E2917-24a Standard Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs, ANSI/ASTM E3255-21 Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Forensic Science Service Providers Performing Forensic Chemical Analysis, ANSI/ASB 142-22 Best Practice Recommendations for the Resolution of Conflicts in Friction Ridge Examination, ANSI/ASB Standard 157-23 Required Components for a Proficiency Testing Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
The detection, characterization, identification, and/or typing of body tissues and fluids, either in native form or as stains or residues left at a crime scene using physical methods (e.g. normal and enhanced lighting), biochemical assays, reactions and/or microscopy.
The detection, characterization, identification, and/or typing of body tissues and fluids, either in native form or as stains or residues left at a crime scene using physical methods (e.g. normal and enhanced lighting), biochemical assays, reactions and/or microscopy.
Activities included in the collection, examination, and analysis of items and reporting of observations and opinions for matters of criminal justice, or for regulatory, or legal proceedings.
An organization or individual that provides forensic services.
Also referenced in ASB 145 Standard for Consultation During Friction Ridge Examination.
See video analysis
See video analysis.
In computer forensics, a verifiable procedure for sanitizing a defined area of digital media by overwriting each byte with a known value
In computer forensics, a verifiable procedure for sanitizing a defined area of digital media by overwriting each byte with a known value.
The structure by which data are organized on a device
To prepare a hard disk or a removable data storage device to enable data storage using a specified filesystem or data structure
To prepare a hard disk or a removable data storage device to enable data storage using a specified filesystem or data structure.
In audio, image, and video analysis, the transfer of audio or video information, or both, from one format to another
In audio, image, and video analysis, the transfer of audio or video information, or both, from one format to another.