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.
In diffraction of X-rays by a crystal, the distance or separation between successive and identical parallel planes in the crystal lattice; d-spacing is expressed as d in the Bragg equation (adapted from Neuendorf et al., Glossary of Geology 2005).
Information in analog or digital form that can be transmitted or processed.
Information in analog or digital form that can be transmitted or processed
The process of systematically utilizing logical techniques to dissect, reorder, evaluate, and interpret data.
A file consisting of stored data (that is, text, numbers, graphics, etc.) as compared to a program file of commands and instructions for a digital device.
A file consisting of stored data (that is, text, numbers, graphics, etc.) as compared to a program file of commands and instructions for a digital device
Process of associating, correlating, and combining data and information from single and multiple sources
The time (expressed as a percentage of real time) during which the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer is not able to process X-rays.
The time (expressed as a percentage of real time) during which the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer is not able to process X-rays.
Time during which the EDS is not able to process X-rays
the time (expressed as a percentage of real time) during which the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer is not able to process X-rays.
To restore an image by attempting to reverse degradation caused by blur.
To restore an image by attempting to reverse degradation caused by blur
Software that is used to find faults in programs
An administratively defined cutoff or concentration that is at or above the methods limit of detection or limit of quantitation and is used to discriminate between positive and negative results.
An administratively defined cutoff or concentration that is at or above the methods limit ofdetection or limit of quantitation and is used to discriminate between positive and negative results.
Administratively defined cutoff concentration that is at or above the methods limit of detection or limit of quantitation and is used to discriminate between negative and positive results
An administratively defined cutoff or concentration that is at or above the method's limit of detection or limit of quantitation and is used to discriminate between positive and negative results.
Administratively defined cutoff or concentration that is at or above the method's limit of detection or lower limit of quantitation and is used to discriminate between a negative and positive test result.
rule that describes how measurement uncertainty is accounted for when stating conformity with aspecified requirement.
First-party attestation.
Fluids associated with the human body decay process that produces a distinctive odor.
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.
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.
Behavior exhibited by canines to protect themselves and, or their canine handler when faced with a perceived or real threat.
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).
Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is less than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium. [68, 2018]
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.
The extent to which the design of a footwear outsole or tire tread has been changed due to erosion.
To separate an interlaced video frame into its two discrete fields.
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.
A pigment, usually titanium dioxide, used to dull the luster of a manufactured fiber
a pigment, usually titanium dioxide, used to dull the luster of a manufactured fiber.
Process of isolating individual images from a video flow
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 or higher, commonly used to cast footwear and tire impressions.
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.