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.
Section Width
secular change
Change in phenotype (e.g., stature) in a population over time.
segment
Singular part on which is forged or attached a set of numerals or symbols that can be adjusted by the operator in establishing an impression value. NOTE Multi-currency machines commonly have a dedicated segment for currency designation.
Segmented Tire Mold
Selectivity
Self Heating
Self-Ignition
Ignition resulting from self-heating, synonymous with spontaneous ignition.
Self-Ignition Temperature
The minimum temperature at which the self-heating properties of a material lead to ignition.
self-inking stamp
A stamp in a container (may be metal or plastic) that houses a rotating die plate seated against a miniature stamp pad. The die plate rotates to the enclosed ink pad to re-ink after every impression. This action allows for repetitive stamping and a separate ink pad is not needed.
Selvage
SEM stub
specimen collection device with an adhesive surface used to collect materials for SEM/EDS analysis.
Semantic Conformance
Conformance to ensure that the biometric transaction is a faithful representation of theparent biometric data and thereby ensuring that the requirements are satisfied that are notmerely syntactic or morphological.
Sensitive Periods
Periods during early development when an animal is notably sensitive to stimuli that may create a specific association or otherwise alter their behavior and that remains relatively stable over time.
Sensitivity Coefficients
The partial derivatives of a measurement function that describe how the measurand's value varies with changes in the values of the input quantities.
Sensitivity Studies
Experiments performed to define the lower and upper limits/bounds of an assay to accurately detect an analyte. Experiments include a serial dilution performed during developmental and/or internal validation of methods.
Sensitivity Studies
A set of critical studies performed during developmental and/or internal validation of DNA or other test methods designed to define the lower and upper limits/ bounds of an assay to accurately detect an analyte.
Sensitivity Studies
Studies performed to assess the ability of the probabilistic genotyping system to support the presence of a known contributor
sensitivity studies
A set of critical studies performed during developmental and/or internal validation of DNA or other test methods designed to define the lower and upper limits/ bounds of an assay to accurately detect an analyte.
sensitivity studies
In general, a set of critical studies performed during developmental and/or internal validation of test methods designed to define the lower and upper limits/bounds of detection.
Sensitizer
Sensory Threshold
The amount of stimuli that is necessary to produce a response from the canine.
sequence identity
The percentage or number of nucleotides or amino acids that are identical between two sequences.
Sequencing (Dna)
A laboratory technique used to determine the sequence of bases (A, C, G, and T) in a DNA molecule.
sequencing (DNA)
A laboratory technique used to determine the sequence of bases (A, C, G, and T) in a DNA molecule.
sequencing (Sanger sequencing)
A method of DNA sequencing for determining the order of bases in a DNA molecule based on the selective incorporation of chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides by DNA polymerase during in vitro DNA replication.
sequencing, DNA
A laboratory technique used to determine the sequence of bases (A, C, G, and T) in a DNA molecule.
serology
The detection and/or taxonomic identification of body tissues and fluids, through the use of chemical reagents and antibody/antigen reactions.
Serum Stain
Service
result of at least one activity necessarily performed at the interface between the supplier and the customer,which is generally intangibleNOTE 1 Provision of a service can involve, for example, the following:- an activity performed on a customer-supplied tangible product (e.g. automobile to be repaired);- an activity performed on a customer-supplied intangible product (e.g. the income statement needed to prepare a taxreturn);- the delivery of an intangible product (e.g. the delivery of information in the context of knowledge transmission);- the creation of ambience for the customer (e.g. in hotels and restaurants).NOTE 2 Adapted from ISO 9000:2005, definition 3.4.2, Note 2.
Service
Result of at least one activity necessarily performed at the interface between the supplier and the customer, which is generally intangible
Set Time
The length of time between the target placement and when the canine is deployed to detect the target odor/scent.
Set Time
The length of time between the target placement and when the canine is deployed to detect the target scent.
Set Time
The length of time between the target placement and when the canine is deployed to detect the target scent.
Sever Arc
An arc site where one or more of the circuit conductors were physically severed by the arcing event at that location.
sex
The biological differences between males and females.
sexual assault
physical, sexual activity without the consent of the other person or when the other person is unable to consent to the activity.
Discussion—The activity or conduct may include physical force, violence, threat, intimidation, ignoring the objections of the other person, causing the other person’s intoxication or incapacitation (through the use of drugs or alcohol) or taking advantage of the other person’s intoxication (including voluntary intoxication).
Shaft
Shaft Form
Shaft Thickness
Shall
Indicates a mandatory requirement.
Shall
shall
Used to indicate that a provision is mandatory.
shall
Used to indicate that a provision is mandatory.
Shaped Charge
Shaping By Successive Approximation
The process of selectively rewarding responses that approximate the desired behavior to an increasingly greater degree. This is one method for teaching a new behavior and can be used as a method of modifying additional behaviors. (See approximation.)
sharp trauma
A skeletal defect produced by an object that is edged, pointed, or beveled.
Sharpening
Sharpness
A tendency to react to stimuli with aggressive behavior.