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.
Software or hardware that are used to identify attacks or anomalies on computers or networks or both
For the purpose of Chapter 29, the terms site and scene will be jointly referred to as the investigation site, unless the particular context requires the use of one or the other word.
A group of individuals working on behalf of an interested party to conduct an investigation into the incident.
In MS, the ratio of the instrument responses between two previously identified diagnostic ions.
In MS, the ratio of the instrument responses between two previously identified diagnostic ions.
The physicochemical process of producing a gas-phase ion. In the mass spectrometer this typically occurs within the ion source. Several mechanisms of ionization exist such as chemical and electron ionization.
The physicochemical process of producing a gas-phase ion. In the mass spectrometer this typically occurs within the ion source. Several mechanisms of ionization exist such as chemical and electron ionization.
Direct or indirect alteration or interference in the instrument response due to the presence of co-eluting compounds
International Phonetic Alphabet
Iris Exchange Program. This is a program at NIST in support of iris-based applicationsbased on standardized interoperable iris imagery. See http://www.nist.gov/itl/iad/ig/irex.cfm
A thin, colored, approximately circular structure surrounding the pupil of the eye thatcontains features used for identification of individuals.
International Organization for Standardization.
A line on a diagram connecting points of equal char depth.
An ASTM class of petroleum distillate almost exclusively composed of branched alkanes.
A class of ignitable liquid characterized in ASTM E1618-11 "Standard Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry" as being comprised almost exclusively of branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (isoparaffins).
Isomers having the same number of each isotopic atom but differing in their positions.
A characteristic of an object in which the refractive index remains constant irrespective of the direction of propagation or vibration of the light through the object
a characteristic of an object in which the refractive index remains constant irrespective of the direction of propagation or vibration of the light through the object.
Acronym for the Information Technology Laboratory of NIST. Seehttp://www.nist.gov/itl/
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. See http://www.iupac.org
JPEG File Interchange Format. See http://www.jpeg.org
A statement that describes a specific job task, lists the items necessary to complete the task, and defines measurable or observable outcomes and evaluation areas for the specific task.
The preferred SI unit of heat, energy, or work. A joule is the heat produced when one ampere is passed through a resistance of one ohm for one second, or it is the work required to move a distance of one meter against a force of one newton. There are 4.184 joules in a calorie, and 1055 joules in a British thermal unit (Btu). A watt is a joule/second. [See also British Thermal Unit (Btu), and Calorie.]
Joint Photographic Experts Group
Image compression and storage format specified by the Joint Photographic ExpertsGroup. It is discrete cosine transform-based.
Image compression and storage format specified by the Joint Photographic ExpertsGroup. It is a wavelet-based method.
Joint Test Access Group
A trial where jurors sit as the trier of fact.
The trained person who undertakes husbandry duties.
A class of sulfur-containing fibrous proteins that forms the foundation of outgrowth tissue from the epidermis, such as hair, nails, feathers, and horns.
a class of sulfur-containing fibrous pro- teins that forms the foundation of outgrowth tissue from the epidermis, such as hair, nails, feathers, and horns.
A verbal or physical action by the canine handler which causes a detector canine to change its actions or to respond to an area or item whether target odor/scent is present or not. (See cueing.)
unit used to measure the energy of X-rays emitted from atoms when excited by the electron beam of an SEM. Goldstein
DISCUSSION—By definition, one electron volt is the amount of energy gained (or lost) by the charge of a single electron moving across an electric potential difference of 1 V. One kilo electron volt is 1000 eV.
A measurement of energy release rate.
See ignition temperature.
the energies associated with the transitions of the K, L, and M shell electrons.
the energies associated with the transitions of the K, L, and M shell electrons.
Discussion—Each element has characteristic energies of transitions of electrons between shells.
A structure produced by interlooping one or more ends of yarn or comparable material
a structure produced by interlooping one or more ends of yarn or comparable material.
The level of information, qualifications, and experience needed to perform assigned tasks
the level of information, qualifications, and experience needed to perform assigned tasks.
Discussion—Knowledge refers to acquired understanding of the principles and practices related to a particular job, skills refer to acquired analytical and psychomotor behaviors, and abilities refer to the talents, observable behaviors, or acquired dexterity.
the level of information, qualifications, and experience needed to perform assigned tasks.
Discussion—Knowledge refers to acquired understanding of the principles and practices related to a particular job, skills refer to acquired analytical and psychomotor behaviors, and abilities refer to the talents, observable behaviors, or acquired dexterity.
Of established origin or identity associated with a matter of interest
Of established origin associated with the matter under investigation. (E1372)
Discussion - Known soil samples are intentionally collected, typically from crime scene or alibi locations, for comparison to a questioned soil sample. Soils are heterogeneous mixtures of organic matter and minerals that vary with depth and across the landscape. Typically, more known samples are needed to represent the range of variation in soils than are required for manufactured materials.
An item of footwear or tire from a specific source that is compared to a questioned footwear or tire impression.
In facial identification and image analysis, an image of an individual or object associated with a known or claimed identity or object and recorded electronically or by other medium (also known as exemplars). (Compare questioned image.)
In facial identification and image analysis, an image of an individual or object associated with a known or claimed identity or object and recorded electronically or by other medium (also known as exemplars). (Compare questioned image.)
A coating sample of established origin.