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.
Uniform Resource Identifier.
A measure to determine the concentration of the urine.
A measure to determine the concentration of the urine.
Uniform Resource Locator.
Universal Serial Bus. Refers to a family of standardized computer peripheral interfaces.
Coordinated Universal Time.
Unicode Consortium Standard Transmission Format
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.
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.
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.
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.
verification (3.8), where the specified requirements are adequate for an intended useEXAMPLEA measurement procedure, ordinarily used for the measurement of mass concentration ofnitrogen in water, may be validated also for measurement of mass concentration of nitrogen in human serum.[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.45]
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 E1732-24ae1 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science.
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.
confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that the requirements for a specific intended use or application have been fulfilled.
Discussion—(1) The term "validated" is used to designate the corresponding status. (2) The use conditions for validation can be real or simulated.
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.
A lowered portion of the epidermis on the palmar or plantar skin, consisting of thoseareas between ridges.
the lightness of a color, from 0 (pure black) to 10 (pure white) in the Munsell color system.
The gas phase of a substance, particularly of those that are normally liquids or solids at ordinary temperatures. (See also Gas.)
the gaseous phase of a liquid or solid that can be returned to that phase by the application of pressure.
the pressure characteristic at any given temperature of a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid form; often expressed as mm of mercury.
the pressure characteristic at any given temperature of a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid form; often expressed as mm of mercury.
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.
mode that allows some SEMs to operate at varying chamber pressures.
Discussion—The need for application of a conductive coating is minimized when using variable pressure mode; however, EDS can be complicated because of the electron beam spread experienced at higher operating pressures.
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.
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.
In video analysis, an electronic device that measures the chrominance (color) performance of a video signal.
an oil extracted from the seeds, fruits, or nuts of plants and generally considered to be a mixture of glycerides.
Discussion—Some vegetable oils are susceptible to spontaneous heating.
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 escape of smoke and heat through openings in a building.
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.
To confirm the truth or correctness of something.
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]
confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled.
Discussion—(1) The term "verified" is used to designate the corresponding status. (2) Confirmation can comprise activities such as: performing alternative calculations; comparing a new design specification with a similar proven design specification; and undertaking tests and demonstrations, and reviewing documents prior to issue.
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.
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.
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,)