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.
stroke
A single written line, either ascending, descending, or lateral in the formation of a letter or any of its parts. (H&H Glossary)
structural features
Characteristics relating to the construction of handwriting (e.g., number, position, order, and direction of strokes) (see 3.1.136 ductus).
Structurally Sound
The anatomical correctness of the feet and legs of an animal.
Structured Light Projection
Surface topography measurement method whereby a light image with a known structure or patternis projected on a surface and the pattern of reflected light together with knowledge of the incidentstructured light allows one to determine the surface topography.
Stub
stutter
An artifact of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification typically observed one or more repeat units smaller or larger than a short tandem repeat (STR) allele in a DNA electrophoretic profile, may result from strand slippage during PCR amplification. A stutter peak is generally of lower relative fluorescence units (RFU) than the allele peak.
style (design)
The general category of allograph (letter form) that is employed to execute writing, e.g., cursive or hand printing. (NIST HF)
Sub-Generic Class
Sub-Surface Deposition
The placement of human remains under ground or surface area, i.e., buried or underwater
Subdirectory
subhedral
crystals with imperfectly developed faces.
Subject Acquisition Profile
Subject Of The Transaction
The person to whom the transaction applies. The subject of a record need not be thesubject of the transaction.
submersion
The process of placing a document(s) into a liquid that is appropriate to facilitate cleaning, unfolding, or separating the document(s).
subpoena
An order of the court for a witness to appear at a particular time and place to testify and/or produce documents in the control of the witness.
Substance Detection
Recognition and response to trained target odor.
Substrate
Surface upon which a friction ridge impression is deposited.
substrate
A material or surface that is written on, usually paper.
sufficient quantity (general)
The amount of material required to assess the distinguishing features of the questioned item(s) or known item(s) based on the expert's professional judgement.
sufficient quantity (handwriting)
The amount of writing required to assess the writer's distinguishing features and range of variation based on the expert's professional judgement.
suicide (manner of death)
Death resulting from a volitional, self-inflicted act.
suitability
Sufficient quantity, quality, and complexity for comparison purposes.
suitability (synonym of utility)
The usefulness of an impression for a further step in the examination process, such as comparison or Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) entry.
suitability (synonym of utility)
The usefulness of an impression for a further step in the examination process, such as comparison or Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) entry.
suitability decision
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
suitability decision (synonym of utility decision)
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
suitability decision, utility decision
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
suitability decision, utility decision
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
suitability decisions, utility decisions
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
suitability for Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) searches
(synonym of utility for Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) searches) A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to an ABIS database search. NOTE This designation is often referred to as “suitable for ABIS/AFIS” or “of value for ABIS/AFIS.”
suitability for Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) searches, utility for Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) searches
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to an ABIS database search.
NOTE This designation is often referred to as “suitable for ABIS/AFIS” or “of value for ABIS/AFIS.”
suitability, utility
The usefulness of an impression for a further step in the examination process, such as comparison or Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) entry.
suitability, utility
The usefulness of an impression for a further step in the examination process, such as comparison or Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) entry.
suitable for comparison
A judgment that a source opinion can potentially be reached. The examiner determined that the item contains sufficient observed data (e.g., sufficient quality and quantity of features, size, or condition of any evidence items) to be used for a comparison.
Suitable for Interpretation/comparison
Data deemed appropriate for interpretation/comparison (see 3.1 and 3.5) based on developmental validation studies, the laboratory’s internal validation studies, and the laboratory’s documented and verified interpretation and comparison protocol.
Sulfur
Sulfur Cement
Sum Peak
Sum Peak
Superimposition
Superimposition
supplemental report
A report used to document additional work performed with subsequent reporting of results.
Suppression
Surface Deposition
The placement of human remains on the surface of the ground.
Surface dye
Surface Profile
Profile that results from the intersection of the real surface by a specified plane.
surgical implants
Devices or tissues that are surgically placed.
surgical implants
Devices or tissues that are surgically placed.
surveillance
systematic iteration of conformity assessment activities as a basis for maintaining the validity of the statement of conformity
Survival Drive
The subconscious impulse for the dog to defend itself from real or imagined danger.