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 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).
The U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information is located in Bethesda, Maryland and is part of the United States National Library of Medicine (a branch of the National Institutes of Health). NCBI houses a series of databases relevant to biotechnology and biomedicine and provides several bioinformatics tools for searching and analyzing the housed data.
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.
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.
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.)
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).
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.
not diluted or mixed with any other substance.
Long, thin crystals with pointed ends
Long, thin crystals with pointed ends.
Long, thin crystals with pointed ends.
Long, thin crystals with pointed ends.
A trained final response by a canine to a non-matching odor/scent
A known scent sample that is used to assess the canine's proficiency in a non-associated scent scenario. The canine is expected to give a negative response.
A known scent sample that is used to assess the canine's proficiency in a non-associated scent scenario. The canine is expected to give a negative response.
A test sample similar to the case sample(s) that does not contain the analyte(s) of interest at a reportable concentration. If an internal standard is used in the procedure, it shall be included in the negative control
A material of established origin that is used to confirm that a procedure does not produce an unintended result.
A known odor/scent sample that is used to assess the canine's proficiency in a non-matching odor/scent scenario. The canine is expected to give a negative response.
An analytical control that consists of the reagents used in various stages of testing without the introduction of sample; no results are expected from a negative control.
NOTE For DNA testing, negative controls include extraction blanks/reagent blanks and amplification blanks. A negative control in DNA testing is used to detect contamination introduced into the assay during the testing process via reagents, disposables, or handling errors (which may impact the results observed from samples tested at the same time).
A type of site check in which there is no existing scent associated to the human scent on the article presented to the canine.
A type of site check in which no existing scent matches the human scent on the article presented to the canine.
A behavior exhibited by a canine showing no association to target scent, i.e., no associated target trail. This may be a specifically trained behavior or the absence of a positive response
A behavior exhibited by a canine showing no association to target scent, i.e., no associated target trail. This may be a specifically trained behavior or the absence of a positive response
An alert/indication given by a canine showing no match to odor/scent, i.e., no matching trail, no substance present, etc.
Checking to confirm that incorrect or inverse inputs yield the expected output (e.g., inputting a letter when a number is required, and observing an error message).
Mode of dynamic headspace concentration extraction using a vacuum to draw the headspace through the adsorbent media.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
A group of two or more computers or other digital devices that communicate with each other electronically to transfer and share data
A group of two or more computers or other digital devices that communicate with each other electronically to transfer and share data.
Network communications that are carried over wired or wireless networks between hosts or devices
Network communications that are carried over wired or wireless networks between hosts or devices.
To remove the canine's reproductive organs.