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The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science

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. 

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Variable Ratio Schedule Of Reinforcement

A reward schedule in which the canine is rewarded after a number of correct but unrewarded responses; the number varies from reinforcement to reinforcement. A reward schedule in which the reward occurs irregularly after a number of correct responses.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017. Source link
Term link
variation

Imprecise duplication in multiple impressions from the same machine.

Committee
Forensic Document Examination
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 172 Standard for Examination of Mechanical Checkwriter Impressions and Machines. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
Variation (Interspecific)

The diversity present in a character or set of character states that occurs between different species.

Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 047 Wildlife Forensics Validation Standard - Validating New Primers for Sequencing. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
Variation (Intraspecific)

The diversity present in a character or set of character states that occurs within the same species.

Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 047 Wildlife Forensics Validation Standard - Validating New Primers for Sequencing. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
Variations
Imprecise duplication and deviations among repetitions of the same process.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 097, Terminology Used for Forensic Footwear and Tire Evidence. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
Vectorscope
In video analysis, an electronic device that measures the chrominance (color) performance of a video signal.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Vegetable Oil
an oil extracted from the seeds, fruits, or nuts of plants and generally considered to be a mixture of glycerides. Discussion—Some vegetable oils are susceptible to spontaneous heating.
Committee
Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Vehicle Search

Utilizing a canine to locate a target odor/scent source in any type of motor vehicle.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017. Source link
Term link
Vent

An opening for the passage of, or dissipation of, fluids, such as gases, fumes, smoke, and the like.

Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2021 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2021. Source link
Term link
Vent
Drilled hole or gap between tire mold components allowing for the release of air during mold cure.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 097, Terminology Used for Forensic Footwear and Tire Evidence. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
Ventilation

The movement of gases within, into, or from any compartment or space or the firefighting operation of removing smoke and heat from the structure by opening windows and doors or making holes in the roof.

Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2021 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2021. Source link
Term link
Ventilation-Controlled Fire

A fire in which the heat release rate or growth is controlled by the amount of air available to the fire.

Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2021 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2021. Source link
Term link
Venting

The escape of smoke and heat through openings in a building.

Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2021 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2021. Source link
Term link
Verification

provision of objective evidence that a given item fulfils specified requirementsEXAMPLE 1 Confirmation that a given reference material as claimed is homogeneous for the quantity valueand measurement procedure concerned, down to a measurement portion having a mass of 10 mg.EXAMPLE 2 Confirmation that performance properties or legal requirements of a measuring system areachieved.EXAMPLE 3 Confirmation that a target measurement uncertainty can be met.Note 1 to entry: When applicable, measurement uncertainty should be taken into consideration.Note 2 to entry: The item may be, for example, a process, measurement procedure, material, compound, ormeasuring system. Note 3 to entry: The specified requirements may be, for example, that a manufacturer's specifications are met.Note 4 to entry: Verification in legal metrology, as defined in VIML, and in conformity assessment in general,pertains to the examination and marking and/or issuing of a verification certificate for a measuring system.Note 5 to entry: Verification should not be confused with calibration. Not every verification is a validation (3.9).Note 6 to entry: In chemistry, verification of the identity of the entity involved, or of activity, requires a descriptionof the structure or properties of that entity or activity.[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.44]

Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Requirements For The Competence Of Testing And Calibration Laboratories. International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, 2017. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ISO, copyright International Organization for Standardization, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ISO, https://www.iso.org/store.html
Term link
Verification

To confirm the truth or correctness of something.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017. Source link
Term link
verification

Verification consists of confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled. For example, confirmation through another expert, trained to competency, conducting an independent analysis, comparison and evaluation of the unknown and known, which may include test impressions, as well as the physical footwear or tire.

Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 099 Standard for Footwear/Tire Examination Proficiency Testing Program. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2020. Source link
Term link
Verification
provision of objective evidence that a given item fulfills specified requirements. Discussion—The process through which the analyses of a forensic examiner are compared by a second, independent examiner so that the findings of the first examiner are corroborated, or can be corrected in situations where there is a disagreement. Discussion—Verifications can be open or blind. Blind verifications are more robust than open verifications.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Verification
confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled. Discussion—(1) The term "verified" is used to designate the corresponding status. (2) Confirmation can comprise activities such as: performing alternative calculations; comparing a new design specification with a similar proven design specification; and undertaking tests and demonstrations, and reviewing documents prior to issue.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
verification (analytical)

Performing subsequent testing to ascertain if the results are concordant.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 143 Standard for Technical Review in Friction Ridge Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
verification (phase of examination method)

Independent examination by one or more examiners to ascertain if a decision, conclusion, or opinion is reproduced or is in conflict with the decision, conclusion, or opinion of another examiner. 

NOTE 1 Verification may be implemented in multiple ways including blind, open, and consensus. The general term verification is inclusive of these various types. 

NOTE 2 Verification is a quality assurance measure for friction ridge examination. 

NOTE 3 The use of the term “independent” indicates an autono

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 142 Best Practice Recommendations for the Resolution of Conflicts in Friction Ridge Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board, 410 North 21st Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 , 2022. Source link
Term link
verification (phase of examination method)

Independent examination by one or more examiners to ascertain if a decision, conclusion, or opinion is reproduced or is in conflict with the decision, conclusion, or opinion of another examiner. 

NOTE 1 Verification may be implemented in multiple ways including blind verification, open verification, and consensus review. The general term verification is inclusive of these various types. 

NOTE 2 Verification is a quality assurance measure for friction ridge examination. 

NOTE 3 The use of the term “independent” indicates an autonomous examination but not necessarily one without knowledge of a prior decision, conclusion, or opinion.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 166 Best Practice Recommendation for Comparison and Evaluation of Friction Ridge Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
verification (phase of examination method)

Independent examination by one or more examiners to ascertain if a decision, conclusion, or opinion is reproduced or is in conflict with the decision, conclusion, or opinion of another examiner.

NOTE 1 Verification may be implemented in multiple ways including blind, open, and consensus. The general term verification is inclusive of these various types. 

NOTE 2 Verification is a quality assurance measure for friction ridge examination.

NOTE 3 The use of the term “independent” indicates an autonomous examination but not necessarily one without knowledge of a prior decision, conclusion or opinion.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 144 Best Practice Recommendations for the Verification Component in Friction Ridge Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2022. Source link
Term link
verification (phase of examination process)

Independent examination by one or more examiners to ascertain if a decision, conclusion, or opinion is reproduced or is in conflict with the decision, conclusion, or opinion of another examiner. 

NOTE 1 Verification may be implemented in multiple ways including blind verification, open verification, and consensus review. The general term verification is inclusive of these various types. 

NOTE 2 Verification is a quality assurance measure for friction ridge examination. 

NOTE 3 The use of the term “independent” indicates an autonomous examination but not necessarily one without knowledge of a prior decision, conclusion, or opinion.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 167 Standard for Reporting Results from Friction Ridge Examinations. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
verification (phase of examination process)

opinion is reproduced or is in conflict with the decision, conclusion, or opinion of another examiner. 

NOTE 1 Verification may be implemented in multiple ways including blind verification, open verification, and consensus review. The general term verification is inclusive of these various types. 

NOTE 2 Verification is a quality assurance measure for friction ridge examination. 

NOTE 3 The use of the term “independent” indicates an autonomous examination but not necessarily one without knowledge of a prior decision, conclusion, or opinion.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 143 Standard for Technical Review in Friction Ridge Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
verification (phase of examination process)

Independent examination by one or more examiners to ascertain if a decision, conclusion, or opinion is reproduced or is in conflict with the decision, conclusion, or opinion of another examiner. 

NOTE 1 Verification may be implemented in multiple ways including blind, open, and consensus. The general term verification is inclusive of these various types. 

NOTE 2 Verification is a quality assurance measure for friction ridge examination. 

NOTE 3 The use of the term “independent” indicates an autonomous examination but not necessarily one without knowledge of a prior decision, conclusion, or opinion.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 165 Best Practice Recommendation for Analysis of Friction Ridge Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
Verification Of Conformity

Confirmation, by examination of evidence, that a product, process or service fulfills specified requirements.

Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ISO/IEC Guide 2:2016 Standardization and related activities -- General vocabulary. International Organization for Standardization BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, 2016. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ISO, copyright International Organization for Standardization, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ISO, https://www.iso.org/store.html
Term link
Verification, Analytical
OSAC Preferred

Performing subsequent testing to ascertain if the results are concordant.

Committee
FSSB
Date Added to Lexicon
Committee Source
FSSB
Term link
verifier

The examiner tasked with reaching independent source conclusions regarding evidence examined by the primary examiner.

Committee
Firearms & Toolmarks
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 102 Standard for Verification of Source Conclusions in Toolmark Examinations . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2025. Source link
Term link
veterinarian’s designate

Any individual who carries out duties under the direction or authority of the veterinarian. Individuals performing these various duties may be technicians, other veterinarians, veterinary medical students, or law enforcement personnel.

Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 170 Standard for Veterinary Forensic Postmortem Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
veterinary forensic postmortem examination

A postmortem examination performed by a veterinarian for the documentation of legal cases.

Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 170 Standard for Veterinary Forensic Postmortem Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
veterinary postmortem examination

A diagnostic procedure consisting of the dissection of a deceased animal by a veterinarian for the purpose of determining the cause of death. Synonyms include necropsy and autopsy.

Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 170 Standard for Veterinary Forensic Postmortem Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
Video Analysis
the scientific examination, comparison, or evaluation of video in legal matters.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Video Enhancement
any process intended to improve the visual appearance of video sequences or specific features within video sequences.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Video Spectral Comparison (Vsc)

The analysis of links, primarily in fraudulent documents.

Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2017 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2017. Source link
Term link
Video Stabilization
the process of re-positioning individual frames such that a selected object or person will remain in the same location on the playback screen as the video is played.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Virtual Bins

Alleles that are not present in the allelic ladder, but have been previously reported or discovered during developmental validation of a particular chemistry. (GeneMapper a ID-X Software and Bin Overlap User Bulletinb,)

Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 115 Standard for Training in Forensic Short Tandem Repeat Typing Methods using Amplification, DNA Separation, and Allele Detection. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2020. Source link
Term link
visual pair-matching

The association of homologous (i.e., left-right) elements based on similarities in morphology.

Committee
Forensic Anthropology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 146 Standard for Resolving Commingled Remains in Forensic Anthropology . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2021. Source link
Term link
Voice Data File

The digital, encoded file primarily containing the sounds of vocalizations of bothspeech and non-speech content, convertible to an acoustic signal replicating the original acoustic signal. A voice data file is extracted from an audio recording, but not all audiorecordings contain voice signals and not all voice data is speech. A physical medium,such as a phonograph record, contains a voice signal but is not a voice data file.

Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011. Source link
Term link
Voice Inflection

Use of tonal changes and volume to effectively communicate with the canine.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017. Source link
Term link
Voice Prompt

spoken message used to guide the user through a dialog with a voice response system

Committee
Speaker Recognition
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ISO/IEC 2382:2015 Information technology — Vocabulary. ISO International Organization for Standardization BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland , 2015. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ISO, copyright International Organization for Standardization, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ISO, https://www.iso.org/store.html
Term link
Voice Recording
A signal, stored on a digital or analog medium, of vocalizations containing both speechand non-speech content.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Speaker Recognition
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011. Source link
Term link
Voice Signal
Any audible vocalizations emanating from the human mouth, throat and nasal cavitywith or without speech content.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Speaker Recognition
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011. Source link
Term link
Void
An absence of blood in an otherwise continuous bloodstain or bloodstain pattern.
Committee
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 033, Terms and Definitions in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017. Source link
Term link
voir dire

The examination of an expert witness in a court proceeding to assist the court in determining whether the expert has the necessary qualifications to testify about the subject-matter.

Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 154 Standard for Training on Testimony for Forensic Biology . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2024. Source link
Term link
Volatile
readily evaporated into the vapor state.
Committee
Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Volatile Data
data on a live system or digital device that is lost after the device loses power.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Volatility
the tendency of a solid or liquid material to pass into the vapor state at a given temperature.
Committee
Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Volt (V)

The unit of electrical pressure (electromotive force) represented by the symbol 'E'; the difference in potential required to make a current of one ampere flow through a resistance of one ohm.

Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2021 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2021. Source link
Term link
voucher specimen

Biological specimen that is representative of its species in accordance with the relevant taxonomic authority and is therefore valid for comparative purposes. Voucher specimens are of known identity, and are curated with available associated geographic, field collection, and life history data.

Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 180 Standard for the Selection and Evaluation of GenBank® Results for Taxonomic Assignment of Wildlife . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2024. Source link
Term link
Voucher Specimen

Biological specimen that is representative of its species in accordance with the relevant taxonomic authority. Voucher specimens are of known identity, and are curated with available associated geographic, field collection and life history data.

Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 028 Wildlife Forensics Morphology Standards. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
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