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.
Training to work the canine at a distance from the canine handler. A training situation in which an attempt is made to remove the human element from the picture.
Extent of agreement between more than one result determined in the same place, by the same person, on the same equipment, in the same way, at similar times.
Also referenced in ASTM E1732-22 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, ASTM E177-14 Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods.
Conditions where independent test results are obtained with the same method on identical test items in the same laboratory by the same operator using the same equipment within short intervals of time.
Conditions where independent test results are obtained with the same method on identical test items in the same laboratory by the same operator using the same equipment within short intervals of time
Experiments performed to verify the results of the assay by the same personnel and/or applicable instrumentation.
In disaster applications, three or more barks directed at the same victim that may be interspersed with digging, scratching, or any other attempt to access the victim. The canine may reposition itself while indicating at target location.
See "Reproducibility"
any sound effect produced by an explosion.
Representative portion of the specimen selected and prepared for analysis that is believed to exhibit all of the elemental characteristics of the parent specimen
Extent of agreement between repeated results determined under any combination of different conditions.
Also referenced in ANSI/ASB Technical Report 025, Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions, ASTM E1732-22 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, ASTM E177-14 Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods.
Conditions where test results are obtained with the same method on identical test items in different laboratories with different operators using different equipment.
Conditions where test results are obtained with the same method on identical test items in different laboratories with different operators using different equipment
Experiments performed to assess the capability to obtain the same test results when an experiment is repeated between different operators and/or detection instruments.
Fundamental knowledge one must have in order to perform a specific task.
The essential skills one must have in order to perform a specific task.
Changing the size and/or resolution of the image by adding or subtracting pixels through interpolation.
Odor/scent that originated from any substance/subject that may or may not be physically recoverable or detectable by other means. The odor/scent that originated from a target substance/subject and lingers after the target substance/subject has been removed or has totally decomposed (as in the case of human remains).
Scent that originated from any subject that may or may not be physically recoverable or detectable by other means. The scent that originated from a target subject and lingers after the target subject has been removed or has totally decomposed (as in the case of human remains).
Scent that originated from any subject that may or may not be physically recoverable or detectable by other means. The scent that originated from a target subject and lingers after the target subject has been removed or has totally decomposed (as in the case of human remains).
Scent that originated from any subject that may or may not be physically recoverable or detectable by other means. The scent that originated from a target subject and lingers after the target subject has been removed or has totally decomposed (as in the case of human remains).
Remnants of a target substance that can be recovered and identified.
In computer forensics,(1) data that are contained in unallocated space or file slack; (2) data left in storage after information processing operations are complete, but before degaussing or overwriting has taken place.
In computer forensics, (1) data that are contained in unallocated space or file slack; (2) data left in storage after information processing operations are complete, but before degaussing or overwriting has taken place
Formed by the deposition of a substance from the footwear or tire onto another surface.
Changing the size of an image by changing the number of pixels per unit of measurement without adding or subtracting any pixels from the image.
the ability to visually separate two bands.
The act, process, or capability of distinguishing between two separate but adjacent parts or stimuli, such as elements of detail in an image, or similar colors.
In facial identification, image, and video analysis, a measure of the limit of an image or display to distinguish between two separate but adjacent stimuli, such as elements of spatial detail in an image, or similar colors.
The ability to visually separate two spots.
See achievable resolution.
Related to breathing and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Related to breathing and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
A behavior that a canine has been trained to exhibit upon locating the source of a target odor/scent. This behavior may be either passive (sit, stare, down, point) or active (bite, bark, scratch, jump, etc.). (See indication.)
A behavior that a canine has been trained to exhibit upon locating the source of a target odor/scent. This behavior may be either passive (sit, stare, down, point) or active (bite, bark, scratch, jump, etc.).
The accountability of a person or other entity for the event or sequence of events that caused the fire or explosion, spread of the fire, bodily injuries, loss of life, or property damage.
(1) in computer forensics, the process of restoring data from an image; (2) in image and video analysis, any process applied to an image that has been degraded by a known cause (for example, defocus or motion blur) to remove partially or totally the effects of that degradation.
Any process applied to an image that has been degraded by a known cause (for example, defocus or motion blur) to remove partially or totally the effects of that degradation.
(1) in computer forensics, the process of restoring data from an image; (2) in image and video analysis, any process applied to an image that has been degraded by a known cause (for example, defocus or motion blur) to remove partially or totally the effects of that degradation
The product of the forensic service provider. This term is broad and includes observations, data, calculations, interpretations, and opinions.
the actual distance between two doubly refracted rays as they emerge from an anisotropic fiber; dependent upon the difference in the two refractive indices, |n||n|, and the thickness of the fiber.
the ratio of the distance traveled by the solute bands center divided by the distance traveled by the solvent front, both measured from the origin.
A used tire to which a new tread has been added.
Behaviors associated with finding and returning prey or objects back to the canine handler or social group.
Behaviors associated with finding and returning prey or objects back to the canine handler or social group.
The subconscious impulse to find and bring prey to the pack leader.
The innate impulse to find and bring prey.
In facial identification, an individual whose role is to perform facial review.
In facial identification, an individual whose role is to perform facial review
A fully corrected version of the original Cambridge Reference Sequence (GenBank# J01415 0 gi:337188) of Anderson et al. (1981) of the human mitochondrial genome (mtDNA), also referred to as the Anderson sequence. The rCRS is GenBank sequence NC_012920; it differs from the original CRS and other complete mtDNA GenBank sequences in that it has eighteen corrected or confirmed nucleotides. It is used for reporting human mtDNA sequences, generally by denoting the differences observed from the rCRS.
The presentation of an article, toy, food, or praise given to the canine once the detector canine has alerted and responded to the odor(s)/scent(s) for which the canine is trained to detect/locate.