OSAC Lexicon

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.

The Unified Victim Identification System developed by the Office of the Chief MedicalExaminer of New York City and its built-in Dental Identification Model.

V-shaped patterns are created by flames, convective or radiated heat from hot fire gases, or smoke within the fire plume. The V pattern often appears as lines of demarcation.

The administration of antigenic material (a vaccine) to stimulate an individual's immune system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate morbidity from infection. (See immunize.)

The antibody titer is a test that detects the presence and measures the amount of antibodies within a canine's blood. The amount and diversity of antibodies correlates to the strength of the body's immune response.

A process of evaluating a system, method, or component, to determine that requirements for an intended use or application have been fulfilled.

Also referenced in ANSI/ASB Technical Report 025, Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions, ANSI/ASB 018 Standard for Validation of Probabilstic Genotyping Systems, ANSI/ASB 020 Standard for Validation Studies of DNA Mixtures, and Development and Verification of a Laboratory's Mixture Interpretation Protocol, ANSI/ASB 038 Standard for Internal Validation of Forensic DNA Analysis Methods, ANSI/ASB 019 Wildlife Forensics General Standards, ANSI/ASB 047 Wildlife Forensics Validation Standard and Validating New Primers for Sequencing, ANSI/ASB 022 Standard for Forensic DNA Analysis Training Programs, ANSI/ASB 063 Implementation of 3D Technologies in Forensic Firearm and Toolmark Comparison Laboratories, ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, ANSI/ASB Standard 072 Standard for the Validation of Procedures in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, ANSI/ASB 046 Wildlife Forensics Validation Standards—STR Analysis.

Also referenced in 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.

confirmation of plausibility for a specific intended use or application through the provision of objective evidence that specified requirements (5.1) have been fulfilled
Note 1 to entry: Validation can be applied to claims to confirm the information declared with the claim regarding an intended future use.
 

A review used to determine the limitations of the method/procedure; conditions under whichreliable results can be obtained; critical aspects of a procedure/method that must be controlled andmonitored; and the scope and accuracy of the procedure to meet the needs of a given application.

The extent to which a measurement actually measures what you intend to measure which provides information relevant to the questions asked; valid measures provide a good, close relationship between a variable. Validity has two aspects: accuracy and specificity.

A lowered portion of the epidermis on the palmar or plantar skin, consisting of thoseareas between ridges.

The gas phase of a substance, particularly of those that are normally liquids or solids at ordinary temperatures. (See also Gas.)

A reward schedule for a canine in operant conditioning in which the subject is rewarded after a period of time that varies from one reinforcement period to the next; there is variable time after one reinforcer or reward before the next reinforcer or reward becomes available.

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.

A form of an allele due to an insertion or a deletion relative to other commonly seen alleles.

One or more forms (constructions) of a character or word in a naturally produced sample of handwriting. These deviations among repetitions of the same handwriting characteristic(s) are normally demonstrated in the habits of each writer.

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 in multiple impressions from the same machine. The cause of this may be manifested due to wear and tear in a machine part(s).

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.

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.

The subsequent independent examination by another trained and competent examiner to either support or refute the conclusions of the original examiner. Verification for some laboratories may require that original items need to be examined.

confirmation of truthfulness through the provision of objective evidence that specified requirements (5.1) have been fulfilled
Note 1 to entry: Verification can be applied to claims to confirm the information declared with the claim regarding events that have already occurred or results that have already been obtained.
 

Performing subsequent testing to ascertain if the results are concordant.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The angle in a vertical plane typically between the path of a bullet and level, measured at the point of impact, also known as elevation angle.

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.

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