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 location of the applied sample or the starting point for the chromatographic development of the applied sample
An accurate and complete replica of the primary image, irrespective of media. DISCUSSIONFor film and analog video, the primary image is the original image.
Accurate and complete replica of the primary image, irrespective of media. DiscussionFor film and analog video, the primary image is the original image.
An accurate and complete replica of the primary image, irrespective of media
In forensic audio, the first manifesta- tion of sound in a recoverable stored format.
In forensic audio, the first manifestation of sound in a recoverable stored format
The document or other substrate with the handwriting, machine, or other markings that caused indentation(s) on a document(s) or other substrate beneath it (the recipient document).
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees is part of an initiative by NIST and theDepartment of Justice to strengthen forensic science in the US. The organization is acollaborative body of more than 500 forensic science practicioners and other experts.NIST established OSAC to support the development and promulgation of forensicscience consensus documentary standards and guidelines, and to ensure that a sufficientscientific basis exists for each discipline. Seewww.nist.gov/forensics/osac/index.cfm
Ordinate values within a dataset that received an erroneous signal during the measurement and nolonger represent the real surface. These often appear as spikes in the dataset. Detection methodsinclude local slope and neighboring height thresholding.
The bottom portion of the footwear that comes into contact with the substrate.
A specific pattern or arrangement of elements on an outsole typically associated with a manufacturer and having a name and/or style number.
A term used to describe a specific pattern or arrangement of design elements on an outsoletypically associated with a manufacturer and having a name and/or style number.
Any current in excess of the rated current of equipment or the ampacity of a conductor; it may result from an overload (see short circuit or ground fault).
A fire fighting term involving the process of final extinguishment after the main body of the fire has been knocked down. All traces of fire must be extinguished at this time.
Operation of equipment in excess of normal, full-load rating or of a conductor in excess of rated ampacity that, where it persists for a sufficient length of time, would cause damage or dangerous overheating. A fault, such as a short circuit or ground fault, is not an overload.
Oval-shaped, heavily-pigmented in clusions usually found in the hair cortex.
oval-shaped, heavily-pigmented inclusions usually found in the hair cortex.
A substance, not necessarily containing oxygen, that causes oxidation.
A material that releases oxygen, or that reacts readily with fuels, and enables the initiation or increased intensity of a fire or explosion.
Insufficiency of oxygen to support combustion. (See also Ventilation-Controlled Fire)
A class of ignitable liquid characterized in ASTM E1618 as having a predominant pattern containing major oxygenated components which may include mixtures of oxygenated compounds and other compounds or products. The primary oxygenated compounds typically have a boiling point lower than octane (C8). The major compound classes may include alcohols, esters, and ketones. ASTM E1618-11 "Standard Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry" provides the minimum criteria for the identification of oxygenated products.
A pigmented coating
A pigmented coating (see coating)
Commonly known as a pigmented coating
Phase alternating line
The roof of the mouth separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. Canines have a bony hard palate and a soft tissue extension called the soft palate.
The roof of the mouth separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. Canines have a bony hard palate and a soft tissue extension called the soft palate.
A friction ridge image from the palm (side and underside) of the hand. A full palm printincludes the area from the wrist to the tips of the fingers.
Acronym for Palm print Acquisition Profile. It is a series of sets of progressively morestringent parameters and requirements relevant to palm print acquisition.
A type of device manufactured for the capture of account data from magnetically encoded cards that operates in-line with the original ATM, gas pump, or other card reading device.
A type of device manufactured for the capture of account data from magnetically encoded cards that operates in-line with the original ATM, gas pump, or other card reading device.
A type of device manufactured for the capture of account data from magnetically encoded cards that operates in-line with the original ATM, gas pump, or other card reading device
A bloodstain from which a satellite stain(s) originated.
An impression that does not represent the entire footwear outsole or tire tread.
Analytical method intended to determine the elemental composition of a single particle such as a pigment particle in a paint layer
In computer forensics, a logical portion of a media that functions as though it were physically separate from other logical portions of the media.
In computer forensics, a logical portion of a media that functions as though it were physically separate from other logical portions of the media
Software method of dividing a physical hard drive into logical containers that will appear as multiple logical drives
see passive headspace concentration.
A trained final response given by the canine that requires an inactive behavior such as sitting, staring or lying down. These types of behaviors are typically trained so as not to disturb the environment and/or forensic evidence. (See passive response, response.)
A trained final response given by the canine that requires an inactive behavior such as sitting, staring or lying down. These types of behaviors are typically trained so as not to disturb the environment and/or forensic evidence.
A trained final response given by the canine that requires an inactive behavior such as sitting, staring or lying down. These types of behaviors are typically trained so as not to disturb the environment and/or forensic evidence.
A trained final response given by the canine that requires an inactive behavior such as sitting, staring or lying down. These types of behaviors are typically trained so as not to disturb the environment and/or forensic evidence.
Any component of a building or structure that provides protection from fire or smoke without any type of system activation or movement. [3, 2018]
An extraction technique in which a portion of the headspace vapors in the sample container is concentrated onto an adsorbent medium.
A type of response that the canine displays/indicates in a manner that does not disturb the environment (i.e., sit, stand, lie quietly, or focus/stare after the detector canine has detected a trained odor). (See passive alert.)
In computer forensics, the process of locating and identifying a series of characters used to restrict access to data or a system.
In computer forensics, the process of locating and identifying a series of characters used to restrict access to data or a system
An impression visible to the naked eye.
A physician who has graduated from medical school and is either in a pathology residency or a forensic pathology fellowship program.