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 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.
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.
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.
the yarn running lengthwise in a woven fabric.
the yarn running lengthwise in a woven fabric.
Discussion—Warp fibers in a scrim fabric run lengthwise in the machine direction of a reinforced tape.
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.
the evaporation of a liquid.
the yarn running from selvage to selvage at right angles to the warp.
Discussion—Weft yarns run crosswise, perpendicular to the warp direction in the scrim fabric of reinforced tape. Also known as fill yarns.
in a woven fabric, the yarn running from selvage to selvage at right angles to the warp.
The state of the canine (positive or negative) as a function of his/her ability to cope with its environment (internal or external).
The treatment that a canine receives providing for its physical and mental needs.
Bone that still retains its visco-elastic properties, typically due to retention of soft tissue and associated fluids.
An impression formed under wet conditions including impressions consisting of residues of blood,grease, mud and other wet substances.
WGS 84 is the World Geodetic System of 1984. At 0000 GMT September 30, 1996 (thestart of GPS Week 873), WGS 84 was redefined and was more closely aligned withInternational Earth Rotation Service (IERS) Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) 94. It isnow formally called WGS 84 (G873). WGS 84 (G873) was adopted as the referenceframe for broadcast orbits on January 29, 1997.
Giving birth to a puppy.
Giving birth to a puppy
Equipment used to produce white light (e.g., flash light) to visualize potential items of evidence.
Distractor odors that are naturally occurring in the search environment that are not placed by evaluators, observers or participants. Animal remains that were not placed by someone, holes that were dug by wild animals, feces from other animals, etc. (See natural distractors.)
material that, by capillary action, draws up a supply of ignitable liquid or oil to be burned, as in a candle or Molotov cocktail.
Discussion—Examples of wick material can include cloth, paper towels, or cordage.
To locate target odor/scent sources in a rural environment.
There are several proprietary formats developed by Microsoft. Windows Media Video(WMV) was developed for Internet streaming applications. Windows Media Audio(WMA) has four distinct codecs: WMA Pro, WMA Lossless, WMA Voice and theoriginal codec also referred to as WMA. The Advanced Systems Format (.asf) is acontainer format designed for streaming media. The Advanced Stream Redirector(ASX) is a type of XML designed to store a playlist for a multimedia presentation.
A computer system that uses dental and anthropometric characteristics to rank possiblematches for missing persons and unidentified human remains.
Revocation or cancellation of a statement of conformity.
Windows Media Audio. This refers to both a Microsoft proprietary audio file format and the audio codecs it uses.WMA can use either lossy or lossless codecs.