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.
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.
Performing subsequent testing to ascertain if the results are concordant.
Confirmation, by examination of evidence, that a product, process or service fulfills specified requirements.
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
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 association of homologous (i.e., left-right) elements based on similarities in morphology.
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
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.
readily evaporated into the vapor state
the tendency of a solid or liquid material to pass into the vapor state at a given temperature.
readily evaporated into the vapor state.
the tendency of a solid or liquid material to pass into the vapor state at a given temperature. Hawley’s
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A slurry explosive that uses a crosslinking agent as the thickener.
Unit of power, or rate of work, equal to one joule per second, or the rate of work represented by a current of one ampere under the potential of one volt.
A specific implementation of the RIFF file format for audio data.
Waveform Audio File Format.
An electronic device that provides a graphic display of a video signal
An electronic device that provides a graphic display of a video signal.
Xray spectroscopy that separates and identifies X-rays based on their differences in wavelength
the evaporation of a liquid.
the yarn running from selvage to selvage at right angles to the warp