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 facial identification, direct comparison of class and individual facial characteristics without explicit measurement
Conformance with the form and structure of the internal content, and verification that thedata structures exist and have correct values.
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.
Referring to size, shape, structure, and texture
Referring to size, shape, structure, and texture.
Mindset and physical behaviors associated with interest, willingness, and keenness to work.
The degree to which an animal is inclined to perform a goal-directed behavior based on internal and external stimuli.
segregations within the soil matrix with different color or shades of color interspersed with the dominant (matrix) color (seeFig. 1).
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.
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.
Magnetic resonance imaging.
Term used interchangeably with facial image.
See backup handler canine.
An organization that has more than one laboratory performing forensic DNA analysis.
A canine trained in more than two disciplines
Analog or digital media, including, but not limited to, film, tape, magnetic and optical media, and the information contained therein.
Analog or digital media, including, but not limited to, film, tape, magnetic and optical media, and the information contained therein
To combine multiple signals into a single signal which can later be separated.
To combine multiple signals into a single signal which can later be separated
Any and all military explosives; also known as ordnance.
the partial focusing and concentration of blast energy caused by incorporating a conical or hemispherical hollow into the end of an explosive cartridge (see shaped charge).
Munsell color is recorded as alpha-numericHue Value/Chroma, H V/C (for example, 7.5YR 5/4 or 5R 6/4); neutral colors, lacking a hue tone, (chroma = 0) are designated with a hue of N and omit chroma or list it as zero (N 3/ or N 3/0).
an ordered system to quantify and describe color based on the three qualities or attributes:hue(H),value(V), andchroma(C) (see PracticeD1535andFig. 2).
A device placed on the canine's face to prevent the canine from biting other animals or people, or consuming material.
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 normal alkane hydrocarbons. Examples of such products are some printing ink solvents, candle oils, and some copier toners.
A skeleton of some kinds of triangles, elongated, usually pointed with a short head usually thicker or broader.
A skeleton of some kinds of triangles, elongated, usually pointed with a short head usually thicker or broader
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.
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 having a predominant pattern comprised mainly of branched chain (isoparaffinic) and cyclic (naphthenic) alkanes.
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].
A dog trained to detect illicit drugs.
The nostrils.
The nostrils.
The upper part of the pharynx connecting with the nasal cavity above the soft palate.
The upper part of the pharynx connecting with the nasal cavity above the soft palate.
International professional organization of physician medical examiners, medicolegal death investigators, and death investigation system administrators that promulgates education and professionalism in medicolegal death investigation and has established and publishes a set of forensic autopsy performance standards. NAME offers a voluntary inspection and accreditation program for medicolegal death investigation offices (see: www.thename.org).
A systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazardsregardless of cause, size, location or complexityin order to reduce the loss of life, property and harm to the environment.
A non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve quality of life. The Dogs and Sensors Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (managed by NIST) focuses on standards and guidelines related to performance of deployed canines, canine handlers and canine teams, and optimization of their integration with electronic detection devices.
The original format of a file.
The original format of a file
The scanning resolution used by a specific AFIS, live-scan reader, or other image capturedevice and supported by the originator of the transmission.
A crude form of coagulated natural rubber having a crinkled or knobby texture.
Distractor odors that are naturally occurring in the search environment that are not placed by evaluators, observers or participants. Animal remains that were not placed by someone, holes that were dug by wild animals, feces from other animals, etc. (See white noise.)
Distractor odor(s)/scent(s) that are naturally occurring in the search environment that are not placed by evaluators, observers or participants. Animal remains that were not placed by someone, holes that were dug by wild animals, feces from other animals, etc.
Distractor odor(s)/scent(s) that are naturally occurring in the search environment that are not placed by evaluators, observers or participants. Animal remains that were not placed by someone, holes that were dug by wild animals, feces from other animals, etc.
a class name for various genera of fibers (including filaments) of: (1) animal (that is, silk and wool); (2) mineral (that is, asbestos); or (3) vegetable origin (that is, cotton, flax, jute, and ramie).
A class name for various genera of fibers (including filaments) of: (1) animal (that is, silk and wool); (2) mineral (that is, asbestos); or (3) vegetable origin (that is, cotton, flax, jute, and ramie)
A natural product derived from latex tapped from rubber trees.
National Crime Information Center of the FBI.See www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/fbi/is/ncic.htm
not diluted or mixed with any other substance.