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.
The fundamental training associated with detector canine training which consists of, but not limited to: bonding/relationship building, obedience, basic odor/scent discrimination, and basic search techniques.
A chemically infused commercial product used to coat tread in order for the tread pattern to be captured onto chemically treated paper.
the border between the cortex and the visible cuticle.
the border between the cortex and the visible cuticle.
a class of fibers of natural mineral origin (for example, chrysotile asbestos) and manufactured mineral origin (for example, fiberglass).
that portion of GSR coming from metals as vaporous material from the bullet, cartridge case, and primer.
Examination of a «product» (3.2), «process» (3.3), «service» (3.4), or installation or their design and determination of its conformity with specific requirements or, on the basis of professional judgment, with general requirements
examination of a product (3.2), process (3.3), service (3.4), or installation or their design and determinationof its conformity with specific requirements or, on the basis of professional judgment, with generalrequirementsNOTE 1 Inspection of processes can include personnel, facilities, technology or methodology.NOTE 2 Inspection procedures or schemes can restrict inspection to examination only.NOTE 3 Adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2004, definition 4.3.NOTE 4 The term item is used in this International Standard to encompass product, process, service or installation,as appropriate.
Body that performs «inspection» (3.1)
body that performs inspection (3.1)NOTE An inspection body can be an organization, or part of an organization.
Inspection system (3.6) to which the same specified requirements, specific rules and procedures apply
(3.6) to which the same specified requirements, specific rules and procedures applyNOTE 1 Inspection schemes can be operated at international, regional, national or sub-national level.NOTE 2 Schemes are sometimes also referred to as programmes.NOTE 3 Adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2004, definition 2.8.
Rules, procedures, and management for carrying out inspection
rules, procedures, and management for carrying out inspectionNOTE 1 An inspection system can be operated at international, regional, national or sub-national level.NOTE 2 Adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2004, definition 2.7.
An XML package described by a schema is called an instance document. If a documentsatisfies all the constraints specified by the schema, it is considered to be schema-valid.
The innate tendency to react in specific ways in specific circumstances. Behaviors that are not taught, and are stereotypical in action and similar in all members of a species.
See canine trainer.
equipment capable of performing measurements used to generate analytical data (for example, GC-MS, IR, NMR, balances, etc.).
See operant conditioning.
an explosive that has not undergone decomposition due to deflagration or detonation and generally has a discernible morphology.
Discussion—Intact explosives can be present in large (grams) or small (single particle) quantities. Post-blast explosive residues can contain both combustion products and intact explosive material.
a process of confirming that the data presented is complete and unaltered since time of acquisition.
The portion of the palm along the base of the fingers.
Any reaction to an odor/scent, which may include: (1) A noticeable, readable, physical change in behavior in a detector canine during the search when the canine reacts to (i.e., is interested in) an odor/scent. (2) Pattern of behavior following the canine's initial reaction to a trained odor/scent when the canine displays motivation to remain at or trace the trained odor/scent to its source. (See change of behavior.)
Any person, entity, or organization, including their representatives, with statutory obligations or whose legal rights or interests may be affected by the investigation of a specific incident.
chemical found in a sample that interferes with identification of the analyte(s) of interest; this can include pyrolysis products, combustion products, and substrate background products.
chemical found in a sample that interferes with identification of the analyte(s) of interest; this can include pyrolysis products, combustion products, and substrate background products.
the temperature of the heated zone between the pyrolysis unit and the GC.
Non-targeted analytes (i.e., matrix components, other drugs and metabolites, internal standard, impurities) which may impact the ability to detect, identify, or quantitate a targeted analyte
Non-targeted substances (i.e., matrix components, other drugs and metabolites, internal standard, impurities) which may impact the ability to detect, identify, or quantitate a targeted analyte.
colors produced by the interference of two out-of-phase rays of white light when a birefringent material is observed at a non-extinction position between crossed polars.
Discussion—The retardation at a particular point in a birefringent fiber can be determined by comparing the observed interference color to the Michel-Lévy chart.
the pattern that results from constructive and destructive interference of light waves.
Experiments performed to determine substances that inhibit or affect the intensity of the assay signal.
Organization, performance and evaluation of measurements or tests on the same or similar items by two or more laboratories in accordance with predetermined conditions.
Also referenced in ANSI/ASTM E3255-21 Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Forensic Science Service Providers Performing Forensic Chemical Analysis.
Organization, performance and evaluation of measurements or tests on the same or similar items by two or more laboratories in accordance with predetermined conditions. (Source: ISO/IEC 17043:2010, 3.4)
organization, performance and evaluation of measurements or tests on the same or similar items by two or more laboratories in accordance with predetermined conditions.
A raster scan technique in which the electron beam alternately refreshes all even, then all odd, scan lines of a display surface.
A person who takes part in a dialog (Oxford English Dictionary Thumb Edition, 10thEdition, 2002). In Record Type-11, an interlocutor is any speaker in the recording whois not the subject of the ANSI/NIST-ITL transaction. An interlocutor may be the subjectof the record, within the transaction, however.
Substance that is manufactured for and consumed in or used for chemical processing to be transformed into another substance.
any media or device on which data is temporarily stored for transfer to permanent or archival storage.
An evaluation of practitioner performance against pre-established criteria by means of intralaboratory comparisons.
The acquisition of test data within the laboratory to verify the functionality of the system, the accuracy of statistical parameters, the appropriateness of analytical and statistical parameters, and the determination of limitations of the system
The accumulation and evaluation of test data within the laboratory for developing the laboratory standard operating procedures and demonstrating that the established protocols for the technical steps of the test and for data interpretation perform as expected in the laboratory. The parameters (e.g., any variable that impacts interpretation) included in a test protocol used by the laboratory should be supported by validation studies conducted with samples of known origin similar to the types of samples routinely accepted and tested by the laboratory
The accumulation of test data within the laboratory for developing the laboratory standard operating procedures and determining the limits of the method(s). Internal validation demonstrates that the established protocols for the technical steps of the test and for data interpretation perform as expected in the laboratory.
1) In general, the accumulation of test data within the laboratory for developing the laboratory standard operating procedures and demonstrating that the established protocols for the technical steps of the test and for data interpretation perform as expected in the laboratory. 2) In the context of probabilistic genotyping, the accumulation of test data within the laboratory to demonstrate that established parameters, software settings, formulae, algorithms and mathematical functions perform as expected; and that the information/results/data obtained is correct and consistent with expected values.
The accumulation of test data within the laboratory for developing the laboratory standard operating procedures and determining the limits of the method(s). Internal validation demonstrates that the established protocols for the technical steps of the test and for data interpretation perform as expected in the laboratory.
The accumulation of test data within the laboratory to demonstrate that established parameters, software settings, formulae, algorithms and mathematical functions perform as expected; and that the information/results/data obtained is correct and consistent with expected values.
an in-depth educational or training program that offers a period of supervised practical experience in a forensic science setting