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.
rule that describes how measurement uncertainty is accounted for when stating conformity with aspecified requirement.
First-party attestation.
alteration in the root or the proximal end of a hair that can include discoloration, postmortem root banding, or a tapered or brush-like appearance as well as fungal tunneling along the length of the shaft.
alteration in the root or the proximal end of a hair that can include discoloration, postmortem root banding, or a tapered or brush-like appearance, as well as fungal tunneling along the length of the shaft.
Fluids associated with the human body decay process that produces a distinctive odor.
The decoy should always be under the control of the canine trainer for the exercise. The canine trainer will tell the decoy how he/she is to behave throughout the training exercise, while in the presence of the canine(s) being trained. Given the proper equipment, the decoy will manipulate the canine's behavior according to the canine trainer through agitation, body movement (toward, away from and perpendicular to the canine's position), posture, noises, etc. The decoy may also provide the canine with a bite, by presenting a part of the body.
A training term, most commonly associated with patrol work but the term can be used in other canine training disciplines. A person will perform the role as a decoy. Multiple people can be used if more than one decoy is needed for the training exercise. (See distractor.)
The decoy should always be under the control of the canine trainer for the exercise. The canine trainer will tell the decoy how he/she is to behave throughout the training exercise, while in the presence of the canine(s) being trained. Given the proper equipment, the decoy will manipulate the canine's behavior according to the canine trainer through agitation, body movement (toward, away from and perpendicular to the canine's position), posture, noises, etc. The decoy may also present themselves for apprehension by the canine.
The process by which conclusions are drawn by logical inference from given premises.
Behaviors indicating that the dog will not attack unless the stimulus eliciting the behavior does not withdraw (typically rooted in fear and characterized by backward and lowered body language and threatening postures intended to protect the dog's body, (e.g., tucked tail).
Behavior exhibited by canines to protect themselves and, or their canine handler when faced with a perceived or real threat.
Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is less than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium. [68, 2018]
propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is less than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium.
The fragmenting, or breakdown, of DNA by chemical, physical, or biological means.
The fragmenting, or breakdown, of DNA by chemical, physical, or biological means.
The fragmenting, or breakdown, of DNA by chemical, physical, or biological means.
to separate an interlaced video frame into its two discrete fields.
The interval between the performance of a behavior and the delivery of reinforcement
a pigment, usually titanium dioxide, used to dull the luster of a manufactured fiber.
The mass of a substance per unit volume, usually specified at standard temperature and pressure. The density of water is approximately one gram per cubic centimeter. The density of air is approximately 1.275 grams per cubic meter.
The processes used to produce an estimation of an individual's biologic age using dental data and subsequently correlate biologic age to chronologic age.
The estimated mean age and the corresponding distribution of ages that result from dental age assessment.
A method used for age assessment.
Dental age assessment involves analysis of available dental data of an individual in her/his current state. The term prior data' refers to data collected when that individual was in a previously known and documented circumstance and does not mean a specific point in time. The term current data' refers to the available data for the individual or remains in her/his current state. For a deceased individual requiring age assessment, the current data is referred to as postmortem data. For a living individual requiring age assessment, the data is simply referred to as prior dental data and current dental data.
The process of tooth migration from its initial position in its bony crypt through the gingival tissue and into the occlusal plane.
A generic gypsum product generally having a strength rating of 8,000 psi (55 mega pascal) or higher, commonly used to cast footwear and tire impressions.
Pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, it is the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age. That is, the number, type, and morpho-physiology (the physical shape) of the teeth of an animal.
Pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, it is the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age. That is, the number, type, and morpho-physiology (the physical shape) of the teeth of an animal.
The variable whose value depends on that of other variables (independent variables). Typically, the variable of interest in an experiment or test.
Assignment of a canine team in an operational environment.
A record of the deployment and/or utilization of a trained canine team, maintained separately from other records, i.e., training, assessments or certifications. A record documenting the deployment and/or utilization of the canine team, especially an account of an act or occurrence kept in writing or some other permanent form, i.e., electronic format, which is discoverable. (See record, discipline-related deployment record.)
The demonstration that a developmentally-validated technology performs as expected within aspecific laboratory or organization. It involves the acquisition of test data using the proposedmethods and procedures to demonstrate that the expected outcome is reproducible and achievesreliable results.
Providing sworn testimony typically outside of a courtroom as part of discovery.
The record type / field / subfield / information item / value / file shall not be used whenclaiming conformance to this version of the standard. (different than 'legacy' )
The restriction of access to something desired by the canine such as food, social companions, or toys.
Biometric type record derived from a Type-20 source representation record, which maybe another Type-20 record from which other biometric type records are derived.
the process of removing an adsorbed material from the solid (adsorbent) on which it is adsorbed. (See also elution.)
Discussion—Desorption may be accomplished by heating, by reduction of pressure, by the presence of another more strongly adsorbed substance, or by a combination of these means.
testing, examination, re-examination, disassembly, or other actions likely to alter the original, as-found nature, state or condition of items of evidence so as to preclude or adversely affect additional examination and testing.
(1) A handler technique by which the handler will present productive area to the canine, usually by pointing or hand and arm sweeps. (2) Used to search a particular area in more detail or when a canine may have walked by to prompt the canine to search in a particular direction. (3) Used to prompt a canine to search high and low productive areas.
(1) sensing the existence of a fire, especially by a detector from one or more products of the fire, such as smoke, heat, infrared radiation, and the like. (2) the act or process of discovering and locating a fire.
an analytical signal from a recognized analyte was generated and can be tentatively identified.
A chemical marker added to plastic explosives to aid in detection by either instrumental or canine screening; also known as detection taggant.
Discussion—Detection agents include DMDNB; o-mononitrotoluene; p-mononitrotoluene; and EGDN.
A canine trained to detect and alert to the presence of certain scents or odors for which it has been trained. May be referred to as a law enforcement or search and rescue service canine, which is not to be confused with canines covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
a compound to slow the burning rate of a powder.
Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity greater than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium. [68, 2018]
propagation of a reaction zone at a velocity that is greater than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium.