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.
mixed DNA sample
Any biological sample containing DNA from more than one individual.
mixture
DNA typing results originating from two or more individuals.
Mixture Studies
Experiments performed to evaluate the performance of the test method when samples containing mixtures of similar or different body fluids and/or cell types are assayed.
Mobile Device
Mobile Phase
Mobile Phone Forensics
Mock casework
Mock Casework Samples
Samples of known origin that mimic or simulate a range of casework sample types that may include laboratory created samples or proficiency test samples.
Modality
This is a type or class of biometric system. Any measurable biological or behavioralcharacteristic can be a biometric modality.
Modification Ratio
Mold
Mold Characteristic
Mold Cure
Mold Parting Line
Molecular Ion
Ion formed by the removal of one or more electrons from a molecule to form a positive ion or the addition of one or more electrons to a molecule to form a negative ion.
Molotov Cocktail
Monilethrix
Monoaxially Oriented Polypropylene (MOPP)
Monochromator
Morphological
Relating to a branch of biology that deals with the form of living organisms, and with relationships between their structures.
Morphological Analysis
Morphological Conformance
Conformance with the form and structure of the internal content, and verification that thedata structures exist and have correct values.
morphological estimation
An estimation based on qualitative phenotypic traits without explicit measurement.
Morphological Tooth Numbering
Assignment of tooth numbers based upon the shape of the teeth. This is in contrast topositional tooth numbering, which assigns a tooth number based solely upon position,and does not consied the shape of the tooth. For most cases, the tooth numberassignment would be the same. Differences arise only in unusual cases.
Morphology, Morphological
morphometric data
Quantitative data that incorporates both size and shape.
Most Likely Number of Individuals (MLNI)
Quantification technique to estimate the actual number of individuals based on the number of paired and unpaired bones; a modified Lincoln Index (LI).
Motivation
Mindset and physical behaviors associated with interest, willingness, and keenness to work.
Motivation
The degree to which an animal is inclined to perform a goal-directed behavior based on internal and external stimuli.
Mottles, Mottling, Mottled or Non-Matrix Color
mount
The plate in the stamp assembly that holds the die.
Mp3
An encoding format commonly used for audio recordings. It is also called MPEG-1 orMPEG-2 Audio Layer III. It has used the file extension '.mp3' since 1995.
Mp3
A widely used audio file format which uses a lossy audio encoding algorithm defined in the MPEG-1 standard,Audio layer 3. The details of this standard are which is published as ISO/IEC 11172-3.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging.
Mugshot
Term used interchangeably with facial image.
Multi Handler Canine
See backup handler canine.
Multi-Laboratory System
An organization that has more than one laboratory performing forensic DNA analysis.
Multi-Purpose Canine
A canine trained in more than two disciplines
Multimedia Evidence
Multiplex
multiplexing
A test providing for simultaneous amplification of multiple loci.
Munitions
Munroe Effect
Munsell Color Code
Munsell Color System
mutation rate
The relative frequency at which mutations have been observed at a specific genetic locus; generally estimated as the number of mutations observed in parent-offspring pairs divided by the total number of pairs examined.
Muzzle
A device placed on the canine's face to prevent the canine from biting other animals or people, or consuming material.
Nails
Namus
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, which is a national repositoryfor missing persons and unidentified decedent records. It is operated by the NationalInstitute of Justice. See www.namus.gov.
Narcotics
Medical definition: A drug (as opium or morphine) that at moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain. Operational usage: An illicit drug (such as marijuana or cocaine) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not [1].