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.
Samples of known origin that mimic or simulate a range of casework sample types that may include laboratory created samples or proficiency test samples.
This is a type or class of biometric system. Any measurable biological or behavioralcharacteristic can be a biometric modality.
a geometrical parameter used in the characterization of noncircular fiber cross-sections.
Discussion—The modification ratio is the ratio in size between the outside diameter of the fiber and the diameter of the core; it can also be called “aspect ratio.”
Ion formed by the removal of one or more electrons from a molecule to form a positive ion or the addition of one or more electrons to a molecule to form a negative ion.
a breakable container filled with an ignitable liquid. It can be ignited by a flaming wick or by chemical means.
a breakable container filled with an ignitable liquid. It can be ignited by a flaming wick or by chemical means.
a hair disorder that results in periodic nodes or beading along the length of the hair with intervening, tapering constrictions that are not medullated.
a hair disorder that results in periodic nodes or beading along the length of the hair with intervening, tapering constrictions that are not medullated.
an oriented polypropylene film in which the polymer has been stretched in only one direction during the manufacturing process. Tapes with such films can be torn by hand.
device designed to isolate narrow wavelength ranges of light from complex, broad-spectrum radiation.
Relating to a branch of biology that deals with the form of living organisms, and with relationships between their structures.
in facial identification, direct comparison of class and individual facial characteristics without explicit measurement.
Conformance with the form and structure of the internal content, and verification that thedata structures exist and have correct values.
referring to size, shape, structure, and texture.
Assignment of tooth numbers based upon the shape of the teeth. This is in contrast topositional tooth numbering, which assigns a tooth number based solely upon position,and does not consied the shape of the tooth. For most cases, the tooth numberassignment would be the same. Differences arise only in unusual cases.
Quantification technique to estimate the actual number of individuals based on the number of paired and unpaired bones; a modified Lincoln Index (LI).
The degree to which an animal is inclined to perform a goal-directed behavior based on internal and external stimuli.
Mindset and physical behaviors associated with interest, willingness, and keenness to work.
segregations within the soil matrix with different color or shades of color interspersed with the dominant (matrix) color.
Discussion—The NCSS reserves the term mottles for color variations that cannot be associated with compositional properties of the soil, whereas color variations attributable to compositional variations are designated with distinct terms (redoximorphic features, concentrations, ped coatings, etc.). However, in a forensic examination mottling is often used to describe any color contrast within a soil aggregate, regardless of its origin.
A widely used audio file format which uses a lossy audio encoding algorithm defined in the MPEG-1 standard,Audio layer 3. The details of this standard are which is published as ISO/IEC 11172-3.
An encoding format commonly used for audio recordings. It is also called MPEG-1 orMPEG-2 Audio Layer III. It has used the file extension '.mp3' since 1995.
Magnetic resonance imaging.
Term used interchangeably with facial image.
See backup handler canine.
An organization that has more than one laboratory performing forensic DNA analysis.
analog or digital media, including, but not limited to, film, tape, magnetic and optical media, and the information contained therein.
to combine multiple signals into a single signal which can later be separated.
A canine trained in more than two disciplines
any and all military explosives; also known as ordnance.
the partial focusing and concentration of blast energy caused by incorporating a conical or hemispherical hollow into the end of an explosive cartridge (see shaped charge).
Munsell color is recorded as alpha-numeric Hue Value/Chroma, H V/C (for example, 7.5YR 5/4 or 5R 6/4); neutral colors, lacking a hue tone, (chroma = 0) are designated with a hue of N and omit chroma or list it as zero (N 3/ or N 3/0).
an ordered system to quantify and describe color based on the three qualities or attributes: hue (H), value V), and chroma C) (see Practice D1535).
A device placed on the canine's face to prevent the canine from biting other animals or people, or consuming material.
a skeleton of some kinds of triangles, elongated, usually pointed with a short head usually thicker or broader.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, which is a national repositoryfor missing persons and unidentified decedent records. It is operated by the NationalInstitute of Justice. See www.namus.gov.
Medical definition: A drug (as opium or morphine) that at moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain. Operational usage: An illicit drug (such as marijuana or cocaine) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not [1].
A dog trained to detect illicit drugs.
The nostrils.
The nostrils.
The upper part of the pharynx connecting with the nasal cavity above the soft palate.
The upper part of the pharynx connecting with the nasal cavity above the soft palate.
International professional organization of physician medical examiners, medicolegal death investigators, and death investigation system administrators that promulgates education and professionalism in medicolegal death investigation and has established and publishes a set of forensic autopsy performance standards. NAME offers a voluntary inspection and accreditation program for medicolegal death investigation offices (see: www.thename.org).
The U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information is located in Bethesda, Maryland and is part of the United States National Library of Medicine (a branch of the National Institutes of Health). NCBI houses a series of databases relevant to biotechnology and biomedicine and provides several bioinformatics tools for searching and analyzing the housed data.
A systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazardsregardless of cause, size, location or complexityin order to reduce the loss of life, property and harm to the environment.
A non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve quality of life. The Dogs and Sensors Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (managed by NIST) focuses on standards and guidelines related to performance of deployed canines, canine handlers and canine teams, and optimization of their integration with electronic detection devices.