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.
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.
The diversity present in a character or set of character states that occurs between different species.
The diversity present in a character or set of character states that occurs within the same species.
Imprecise duplication and deviations among repetitions of the same process.
In video analysis, an electronic device that measures the chrominance (color) performance of a video signal.
In video analysis, an electronic device that measures the chrominance (color) performance of a video signal
an oil extracted from the seeds, fruits, or nuts of plants and generally considered to be a mixture of glycerides.
Utilizing a canine to locate a target odor/scent source in any type of motor vehicle.
An opening for the passage of, or dissipation of, fluids, such as gases, fumes, smoke, and the like.
Drilled hole or gap between tire mold components allowing for the release of air during mold cure.
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.
A fire in which the heat release rate or growth is controlled by the amount of air available to the fire.
The escape of smoke and heat through openings in a building.
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]
To confirm the truth or correctness of something.
Confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled
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.
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
Confirmation, by examination of evidence, that a product, process or service fulfills specified requirements.
Performing subsequent testing to ascertain if the results are concordant.
The scientific examination, comparison, or evaluation of video in legal matters.
The scientific examination, comparison, or evaluation of video in legal matters
Any process intended to improve the visual appearance of video sequences or specific features within video sequences.
Any process intended to improve the visual appearance of video sequences or specific features within video sequences
The analysis of links, primarily in fraudulent documents.
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.
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
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,)
Vomputer network that uses encryption to transmit data in a secure fashion over a public network
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.
Use of tonal changes and volume to effectively communicate with the canine.
Technique for transmitting real-time voice communications over the internet or another transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) network
spoken message used to guide the user through a dialog with a voice response system
An absence of blood in an otherwise continuous bloodstain or bloodstain pattern.
readily evaporated into the vapor state
Data on a live system or digital device that is lost after the device loses power.
Data on a live system or digital device that is lost after the device loses power
the tendency of a solid or liquid material to pass into the vapor state at a given temperature.
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.
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.
Biological specimen that is typical of its species in accordance with the relevant taxonomic authority. Voucher specimens are of known identity, and are curated with geographic, field collection, and life history data.
A process in which a rubber compound is heated under pressure causing a chemical change which transforms the rubber from a soft, tacky substance to tough, hard rubber.
World Wide Web Consortium. It is an international community that develops standardsfor web development.
in knitted fabrics, a column of successive loops in the length direction of the fabric;in woven fabrics, one of a series of raised portions or ribs lying warp-wise in the fabric.
In knitted fabrics, a column of successive loops in the length direction of the fabric; in woven fabrics, one of a series of raised portions or ribs lying warp-wise in the fabric
the yarn running lengthwise in a woven fabric.
The yarn running lengthwise in a woven fabric. DiscussionWarp fibers in a scrim fabric run lengthwise in the machine direction of a reinforced tape. 3.2.30 weft, nthe yarn running from selvage to selvage at right angles to the warp. DiscussionWeft yarns run crosswise, perpendicu- lar to the warp direction in the scrim fabric of reinforced tape. Also known as fill yarns.
The yarn running lengthwise in a woven fabric