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.
A document providing comprehensive information about a substance or mixture for using in workplace chemical management as adopted by the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Note: Previously known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
A document providing comprehensive information about a substance or mixture for using in workplace chemical management as adopted by the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). NOTE Previously known as a material safety data sheet (MSDS).
A water-proof, coated, thread-wrapped cord with a black powder core designed to be used to initiate a non-electric blasting cap. DISCUSSION: Safety fuse is larger in diameter than hobby or pyrotechnic fuse; has higher quality construction; and has better reproducibility in timing (distance burned per second).
An action by the handler, canine or canine team that if done in operational environment, could place the canine team in jeopardy.
A group of items, test results or portions of material, taken from a large collection of items, test results or portions of material, that serves to provide information that may be used as a basis for making a decision concerning the larger collection.
Subset of a population made up of one or more sampling units
A representative portion of the specimen selected and prepared for analysis that is expected to exhibit all of the elemental characteristics of the parent specimen.
A representative portion of the specimen selected and prepared for analysis that is expected to exhibit all of the elemental characteristics of the parent specimen.
Obtain the values of a function for regularly or irregularly spaced distinct values fromits domain. From: ISO 2382-2:1976.
Only within this guide, sample or specimen smaller than approximately 0.2 mm
Only within this guide, sample or specimen whose greatest dimension is less than approximately 50 m
Sample or specimen larger than approximately 0.2 mm
Sample preparation method using progressively finer abrasives to achieve a flat, smooth sample surface
Totality of items under consideration
A collection of hairs from a specific somatic region that reflects the range of characteris tics of a persons hair in that area.
For the purposes of this guide, the following terms are used to describe sample size with the actual size demarcation between each being somewhat arbitrary
A sample for which the identity of the donor is established and which is used for comparison purposes.
A sample of known hairs that is insufficient in quality or quantity to reflect a representative range of characteristics or traits.
A collection of hairs from a specific somatic region that reflects the range of characteristics of a person's hair in that area.
(The) process of drawing or constituting a sample.
One of the individual parts into which a population is divided
A method of DNA sequencing for determining the order of bases in a DNA molecule based on the selective incorporation of chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides by DNA polymerase during in vitro DNA replication.
A method of DNA sequencing for determining the order of bases in a DNA molecule based on the selective incorporation of chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides by DNA polymerase during in vitro DNA replication.
A method of DNA sequencing for determining the order of bases in a DNA molecule based on the selective incorporation of chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides by DNA polymerase during in vitro DNA replication. See sequencing below.
Subject Acquisition Profile. With the exception of mobile device SAP levels, they are aseries of sets of progressively more stringent parameters and requirements relevant toface acquisition. Subject Acquisition profiles for iris are denoted as Iris acquisitionprofiles (IAP), and those for fingerprints are denoted as Fingerprint acquisitionprofiles (FAP). The term SAP had been used exclusively for face acquisition in earlierversions of the standard. [2015a>] In the Mobile ID Best Practices RecommendationsVersion 1, face, finger and iris application profiles were all referred to as SAP. Theyare referred to separately in this standard. This was changed in Mobile ID Best Practices Recommendations Version 2 to be consistent with this standard.
Subject acquisition profile
A smaller bloodstain that originated during the formation of the parent stain as a result of blood impacting a surface.
When a reinforcer loses its effectiveness as a result of being overused.
Equilibration with mobile phase solvent vapor prior to chromatography
A bloodstain resulting from the accumulation of liquid blood in an absorbent material.
Overlapping, plate-like structures composed of keratin that form the cuticle.
A type of electron microscope in which a focused electron beam is scanned in a raster on a solid sample surface; the term can also include the analytical technique of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
A type of electron microscope in which a focused electron beam is scanned in a raster on a solid sample surface; the term can also include the analytical technique of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
Type of electron microscope in which a focused electron beam is scanned in a raster on a solid sample surface
The number of pixels per unit distance at which an image is captured (ppmm or ppi).
Healed fibrous tissue resulting from an injury to the skin.
subtle curved line on a fracture surface caused by interaction of a propagating crack and a liquid or a reactive environment.
A place, an object, a person, or an animal that is subject to and/or requires forensic examination. NOTE A crime scene is a common description of a scene where a presumed crime has been committed. The scene can be a person or an animal. (ISO 21043-1:2018[E])
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.7 through 3.9 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
A place, an object, a person, or an animal that is subject to and/or requires forensic examination
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
The general physical location of a fire or explosion incident (geographic area, structure or portion of a structure, vehicle, boat, piece of equipment, etc.) designated as important to the investigation because it may contain physical damage or debris, evidence, victims, or incident-related hazards.
An examination of a scene to locate, document, process, collect, and preserve items of potential evidentiary value.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An examination of a scene to locate, document, process, collect, and preserve items of potential evidentiary value.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.7 through 3.9 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An individual, however named, who is responsible for performing elements of scene investigation.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An individual, however named, who is responsible for performing elements of scene investigation.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.7 through 3.9 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
The process to gain explicit knowledge of the series of events that surround a scene using deductive and inductive reasoning, physical evidence, scientific processes, and their interrelationships.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An individual, however named, who is responsible for performing elements of a scene reconstruction.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction. 'Scent' has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans. 'Odor' has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance. (See odor.)
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction.
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction. Scent has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans. Odor has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance.
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction. Scent has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans. Odor has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance.