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.
See design.
See blunt force pattern injury
Printed circuit board
Pulse Code Modulation. Refers to a method of representing an analog audio waveform with a series of quantizeddigital sample values.
A version of the WAV file format which saves the data as uncompressed linear PCM samples with a standard RIFFheader.
An additive for optimizing the specificity and yield of a PCR reaction.
Any substance that interferes with or prevents the synthesis of DNA during the amplification process.
Any substance that interferes with or prevents the synthesis of DNA during the amplification process.
A family tree or a structure depicting relatedness and position of known and unknownpersons.
An independent evaluation of a scientific, professional, or academic manuscript or publication by a qualified second party to evaluate the claims, methods, interpretations, and conclusions.
Also referenced in ANSI/ASB Technical Report 025, Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions, ASTM E2916-13 Standard Terminology for Digital and Multimedia Evidence Examination.
Communications network that allows multiple computers to share files
A hole in a disc powder or one or more holes running through the length of a cylinder powder created during the manufacturing process in extruded powders
A quality assurance measure to assess the functionality of laboratory instruments, reagents and equipment that affect the accuracy and/or validity of forensic sample analysis.
A quality assurance measure to assess the functionality of laboratory instruments and equipment that affect the accuracy or validity of forensic sample analysis.
A quality assurance measure to assess the functionality of the probabilistic genotyping software following a minor change such as reformatting of output reports. This would typically involve functional testing of the software verifying it is performing tasks as expected and comparing results to previously validated versions of the software using the same data or sample set where possible
The ongoing process of evaluating a forensic service providers ability to perform work. Examples include quality control measures, observation, case review, retesting, blind testing, testimony monitoring, intra- or interlaboratory comparisons, and proficiency testing.
An altered stain consisting of its edge characteristics, the central area having been partially or entirely removed.
In computer forensics, a hardware device connected externally to a computer or other digital device that adds more functionality.
In computer forensics, a hardware device connected externally to a computer or other digital device that adds more functionality
A canine trained to detect and alert to the presence of explosives and explosives related substances (e.g., propellants, oxidizers, precursors) for which it has been trained that may be person borne. The canine team is not EDC certified, however, the canine team may be responsible for searching its intended operational area and/or person(s) separated from their personal property.
A canine trained to detect and alert to the presence of explosives for which it has been trained that may be person borne. The canine team is not EDC certified, however, the canine team may be responsible for searching its intended operational area and/or person(s) separated from their personal property
Networking scheme that enables computers and other electronic devices to communicate with each other over short distances either with or without wires
Consumer electronic device that is typically mobile or handheld (for example, personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone, or iPOD)
The association of a set of remains to a known individual.
Equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards such as body fluids, irritants, or contaminants. Examples of PPE: gloves, foot and eye protection, respirators, and full-body suits. NOTE PPE may also help to minimize contamination and/or alteration of the scene.
Equipment worn for protection from discipline-specific environmental hazards, e.g., biological, radiological, chemical. For disaster canine applications in a rubble search, helmet, gloves, long pants/long sleeves, and safety toe/steel shank boots, which must be worn by the canine handler. Canine handler must also have eye protection and knee pads on hand, as they may be required by the hosting task force/agency.
Behavioral qualities of the canine that are relatively constant and reliable, and frame or affect the canine handler's response across contexts.
In image and video analysis, camera-to- subject geometry, including both camera-to-subject distance and orientation of the camera relative to the subject.
In image and video analysis, camera-to-subject geometry, including both camera-to-subject distance and orientation of the camera relative to the subject
In image and video analysis,a warping or transformation of an object's appearance in an image introduced by insufficient subject to camera distance (for example, larger nose or smaller ears).
In image and video analysis, a warping or transformation of an objects appearance in an image introduced by insufficient subject to camera distance (for example, larger nose or smaller ears)
Positron emission tomography.
A class of ignitable liquid characterized in ASTM E1618-11 as having a predominant pattern associated with a homologous series of normal-alkanes in a Gaussian distribution of peaks. Light petroleum distillates may not exhibit a recognizable pattern and may contain only one or two of the normal-alkanes. There will also be cyclic alkanes and branched alkanes present. Lesser levels of aromatic hydrocarbons as well as condensed ring aromatics may be found mostly in the medium and heavy sub-classes. Some distillates have significantly reduced or completely absent aromatics. These are sometimes referred to as dearomatized distillates.
An ASTM class of products obtained primarily from the fractionation of crude oil.
any product derived from crude oil.
one of the three states or conditions in which substances can exist, i.e. solid, liquid, or gas (vapor).
a part of a chemical system that is homogeneous, physically distinct and at least hypothetically separable, and which has single or continuously variable chemical and mechanical properties (adapted from Ref (1)).
Surface topography measurement method whereby an optical microscope with illumination of aknown effective wavelength is integrated with an interferometric attachment and producesmultiple successive optical images with interferometric fringes from which the profile or arealsurface topography image is calculated.
A method used to obtain digital x-ray images consisting of a photostimulable plate.
In facial identification, the applica- tion of anthropometric analysis to images.
In facial identification, the application of anthropometric analysis to images
Process of obtaining dimen- sional information regarding objects and people depicted in an image.
Process of obtaining dimensional information regarding objects and people depicted in an image
The art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the processes of recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images and patterns of elec- tromagnetic radiant energy and other phenomena.
The art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the processes of recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant energy and other phenomena
Science of obtaining dimensional information of items depicted in photographs
In image analysis and facial identification, the assessment of the correspondence between features in images and known objects or images for the purpose of rendering an opinion regarding identification, elimination, or a qualified conclusion (as opposed to a demonstrative exhibit).
In image analysis and facial identification, the assessment of the correspondence between features in images and known objects or images for the purpose of rendering an opinion regarding identification, elimination, or a qualified conclusion (as opposed to a demonstrative exhibit)
A standard two-dimensional image illuminated and captured in the visible wave lengths (380 to 780 nm). This definition is specific to this standard other references may refer to images captured using non-visible wavelengths converted to visible wavelengths as photographic images, but they are not so classified for purposes of this standard. A photographic image is conveyed in a Type-10 record (unless it is an iris image conveyed in Type-17, or a friction ridge image conveyed in one of Types 4, 13, 14, 15, or 19). A non-photographic image is conveyed in a Type-22 record. Original source images are conveyed in Type-20 records and non-biometric associated context images are conveyed in Type-21 records, regardless of the format or source of the image.
Surface topography measurement method in computer vision for measuring the surface normals ofa surface by observing that surface under different lighting conditions. Given sufficient independentlight sources, the surface normals, and thus surface geometry, can be determined for every positionon the surface.