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 trained person who undertakes husbandry duties.
A class of sulfur-containing fibrous proteins that forms the foundation of outgrowth tissue from the epidermis, such as hair, nails, feathers, and horns.
A verbal or physical action by the canine handler which causes a detector canine to change its actions or to respond to an area or item whether target odor/scent is present or not. (See cueing.)
A measurement of energy release rate.
See ignition temperature.
the energies associated with the transitions of the K, L, and M shell electrons.
Discussion—Each element has characteristic energies of transitions of electrons between shells.
the energies associated with the transitions of the K, L, and M shell electrons.
a structure produced by interlooping one or more ends of yarn or comparable material.
A structure produced by interlooping one or more ends of yarn or comparable material
The level of information, qualifications, and experience needed to perform assigned tasks. DiscussionKnowledge refers to acquired under- standing of the principles and practices related to a particular job, skills refer to acquired analytical and psychomotor behaviors, and abilities refer to the talents, observable behaviors, or acquired dexterity.
The level of information, qualifications, and experience needed to perform assigned tasks
Of established origin associated with the matter under investigation. (E1372) DiscussionKnown soil samples are intentionally collected, typically from crime scene or alibi locations, for comparison to a questioned soil sample. Soils are heterogeneous mixtures of organic matter and minerals that vary with depth and across the landscape. Typically, more known samples are needed to represent the range of variation in soils than are required for manufactured materials.
Of established origin associated with the matter under investigation DiscussionKnown soil samples are intentionally collected, typically from crime scene or alibi locations, for comparison to a questioned soil sample. Soils are heteroge- neous mixtures of organic matter and minerals that vary with depth and across the landscape. Typically, more known samples are needed to represent the range of variation in soils than are required for manufactured materials. 'Reference sample' is used synonymously in Ref (2).
Of established origin or identity associated with a matter of interest
An item of footwear or a tire of documented origin that is compared to a questioned footwear or tire impression.
An item of footwear or tire from a specific source that is compared to a questioned footwear or tire impression.
In facial identification and image analysis, an image of an individual or object associated with a known or claimed identity or object and recorded electronically or by other medium (also known as exemplars). (Compare questioned image.)
In facial identification and image analysis, an image of an individual or object associated with a known or claimed identity or object and recorded electronically or by other medium (also known as exemplars). (Compare questioned image.)
See test impression.
Biological material for which the identity of the donor is established and used for comparison purposes.
Known samples of geological material are intentionally collected, typically from crime scene or alternate locations, for comparison to a questioned sample. DiscussionGeological materials are typically more heterogeneous than manufactured materials, so a greater number of known samples of geological material are needed to represent the range of variation (see Guide E3272). Reference sample and control sample are synonyms of known sample.
A coating sample of established origin
A coating sample of established origin.
known soil samplesare intentionally collected, typically from crime scene or alternate locations, for comparison to aquestioned soil sample.
A voice signal from an individual who has been identified, or individuated in a waythat allows linking to additional, available information about that individual.