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The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science

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. 

Displaying 651 - 700 of 3514
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Searches term, definition, and source for any of these keywords.
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Compensator, Quartz Wedge
a wedge, usually cut from quartz, having continuously variable retardation extending over several orders (usually 3 to7) of interference colors.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Compensator, Senarmount
a quarter-wave plate inserted above the specimen in the parallel "0" position with a calibrated rotating analyzer; measures low retardation and requires the use of monochromatic light.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Compensator, Tilting (Berek)
a compensator typically containing a plate of calcite or quartz, which can be tilted by means of a calibrated drum to introduce incrementally variable retardation.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
competency

Demonstration that a forensic science practitioner has acquired and demonstrated specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities in the standard practices necessary to conduct examinations in a discipline or category of testing prior to performing independent casework.

Committee
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 203 Standard for the Development of a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Certification Program. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2025. Source link
Term link
competency

Possessing and demonstrating the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform a specific task.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 168 Standard for Testimony Monitoring in Friction Ridge Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
Competency
demonstration that a forensic science practitioner has acquired and demonstrated specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in the standard practices necessary to conduct examinations in a discipline or category of testing prior to performing independent casework.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Competency

The demonstration of technical skills and knowledge necessary to perform forensic DNA analysis successfully.

Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 022 Standard for Forensic DNA Analysis Training Programs. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
Competency

Demonstrated and documented ability of an individual to perform assigned work in a discipline or subdiscipline, in accordance with a laboratory's technical procedures and training manuals, before the performance of independent casework.

Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 019 Wildlife Forensics General Standards. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
Competency test
A ground-truth test that demonstrates that a forensic science service provider has acquired specialized knowledge, skills and abilities in the standard practices necessary to conduct specific tasks or examinations in a discipline prior to performing independent casework.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 095 Standard Practice for Minimum Qualifications and Training for a Footwear/Tire Forensic Science Service Provider. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2020. Source link
Term link
competency test

evaluation of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in the standard practices necessary to conduct examinations in a discipline or category of testing prior to performing independent casework.

Committee
Firearms & Toolmarks
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Standard 124 Minimum Requirements and Recommendations for a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner Training Program. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2025. Source link
Term link
Competency Test(s)

A test designed to establish that an individual has demonstrated achievement of technical skills and met minimum standards of knowledge necessary to perform forensic DNA analysis.

Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 022 Standard for Forensic DNA Analysis Training Programs. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
Competency Testing
OSAC Preferred

Evaluation of a persons knowledge and ability to perform work before authorization to do so independently.

Also referenced in ANSI/ASB Standard 099 Standard for Footwear/Tire Examination Proficiency Testing Program.

Committee
FSSB
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Committee Source
FSSB
Term link
Competency Tests

A test used to demonstrate an individual's ability to successfully conduct an examination(s) prior toperforming casework.

Committee
Firearms & Toolmarks
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 063 Implementation of 3D Technologies in Forensic Firearm and Toolmark Comparison Laboratories. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021. Source link
Term link
Competent Canine Trainer

A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience to train canines and canine handlers.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017. Source link
Term link
Competent Canine Trainer

A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience to train canines and canine handlers.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 092 Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Explosives. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021. Source link
Term link
Competent Canine Trainer

A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, and experience to train canines and canine handlers, who has demonstrated, through education, training, and operational experience, extensive skills and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 027 Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Humans: Patrol Canine Team. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021. Source link
Term link
Competent Canine Trainer

A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, and experience to train canines and canine handlers, who has demonstrated, through education, training, and operational experience, extensive skills and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 026 Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Humans: An Aged Trail Using Pre-scented Canines. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021. Source link
Term link
Competent Canine Trainer

A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, and experience to train canines and canine handlers, who has demonstrated, through education, training, and operational experience, extensive skills and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 024 Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Humans: Location Check Using Pre‐scented Canines. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021. Source link
Term link
competent friction ridge examiner (compare to examiner friction ridge)

An individual who has successfully completed their FSP’s training program and has demonstrated to the FSP that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the tasks required of their current position.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 014 Standard for Friction Ridge Examination Training Program. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
Competent Ignition Source

An ignition source that has sufficient energy and is capable of transferring that energy to the fuel long enough to raise the fuel to its ignition temperature. (See 19.4.2.)

Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2021 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2021. Source link
Term link
Competent Trainer

A person having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, and experience to train canines and canine handlers, who has demonstrated, through education, training, and operational experience, extensive skills and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 088 General Guidelines for Training, Certification, and Documentation of Canine Detection Disciplines. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2020. Source link
Term link
Complaint

An expression of dissatisfaction by any person or organization to an organization relating to its product or service, or the complaints-handling process itself, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected. Complaints can be written, electronic, or oral, and may originate internally or externally.

Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ISO/TS 17033:2019 Ethical claims and supporting information Principles and requirements. International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, 2019. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ISO, copyright International Organization for Standardization, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ISO, https://www.iso.org/store.html
Term link
Complaint

expression of dissatisfaction by any person or organization to a laboratory (3.6), relating to the activitiesor results of that laboratory, where a response is expected[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17000:2004, 6.5, modified The words other than appeal have been deleted, andthe words a conformity assessment body or accreditation body, relating to the activities of that bodyhave been replaced by a laboratory, relating to the activities or results of that laboratory.]

Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Requirements For The Competence Of Testing And Calibration Laboratories. International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, 2017. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ISO, copyright International Organization for Standardization, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ISO, https://www.iso.org/store.html
Term link
Complaint

expression of dissatisfaction, other than appeal, by any person or organization to an inspection body, relatingto the activities of that body, where a response is expectedNOTE Adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2004, definition 6.5.

Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Requirements For The Competence Of Testing And Calibration Laboratories. International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, 2017. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ISO, copyright International Organization for Standardization, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ISO, https://www.iso.org/store.html
Term link
Complaint

Expression of dissatisfaction, other than appeal, by any person or organization to an inspection body, relating to the activities of that body, where a response is expected

Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity Assessment: Requirements for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection. International Organization for Standardization BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, 2012. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ISO, copyright International Organization for Standardization, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ISO, https://www.iso.org/store.html
Term link
Complex Software

Sophisticated computer programming that contains multiple interconnected modules or components. Complex software systems have components whose interactions evolve. The set of possible states of the system can be infinite, unbounded, and most importantly, changing.

Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 114 Best Practice Recommendations for Internal Validation of Software used in Forensic DNA Laboratories. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2022. Source link
Term link
Complexity (of a comparison)

A characteristic of a comparison in which the attributes of one or both impressions may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures relating to the evaluation of a source conclusion.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 145 Standard for Consultation During Friction Ridge Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO
, 2023. Source link
Term link
complexity (of a comparison)

A characteristic of a comparison in which the attributes of one or both impressions may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures relating to the evaluation of a source conclusion.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 015 Standard for Examining Friction Ridge Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
complexity (of a comparison)

A characteristic of a comparison in which the attributes of one or both impressions may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures relating to the evaluation of a source conclusion.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 166 Best Practice Recommendation for Comparison and Evaluation of Friction Ridge Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
Complexity (of an impression)

A characteristic of an impression whose attributes may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 145 Standard for Consultation During Friction Ridge Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO
, 2023. Source link
Term link
complexity (of an impression)

A characteristic of an impression whose attributes may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 015 Standard for Examining Friction Ridge Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
complexity (of an impression)

A characteristic of an impression whose attributes may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 166 Best Practice Recommendation for Comparison and Evaluation of Friction Ridge Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
complexity (of an impression)

A characteristic of an impression whose attributes may require additional consideration and quality assurance measures.

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 165 Best Practice Recommendation for Analysis of Friction Ridge Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
Component Characteristics
Detailed features of the facial components
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Composite Video Signal
a single analog video signal that combines a base-band luminance signal with color information by modulating a subcarrier with chroma signals, typically using one of the National Television System Committee (NTSC), Phase Alternating Line (PAL), or Sequential Color with Memory (SECAM) systems.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Compression
a process to reduce the size of a data file or stream while attempting to retain the original semantic meaning of that data.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Compression Molding
A method for making footwear outsoles and tires where the material is placed into an open mold, which is then closed and subjected to heat, time, and pressure.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 097, Terminology Used for Forensic Footwear and Tire Evidence. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019. Source link
Term link
Compression Ratio
the ratio of the size of the data before compression to that of after compression.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Computer Forensics
the scientific examination, analysis, or evaluation of digital evidence in legal matters.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Computer System

system containing one or more components and elements such as computers (hardware), associated software, and data (e.g., software, firmware, hardware, configuration files) f

f: ISO/IEC 25024:2015(en) Systems and software engineering — Systems and software Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQuaRE) — Measurement of data quality available from ANSI.

Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 055 Standard for Breath Alcohol Measuring Instrument Calibration. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2024. Source link
Term link
Concentration

The canine's focus on the area of search (further specification will be discipline specific).

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017. Source link
Term link
Concentration (Chemical)

The amount of a constituent expressed as a mass or volume divided by the total amount of material expressed as a mass or volume.

Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017. Source link
Term link
conclusion source conclusion

Opinion stated by an examiner after interpretation of observed data. The opinion is the professional judgment that the observed data can offer support for one proposition over another. A conclusion is distinct from a “proposition.”

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 166 Best Practice Recommendation for Comparison and Evaluation of Friction Ridge Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
conclusion, conclusionary statement

A reasoned deduction based on the results or a comparison. Conclusionary statements may have multiple elements: interpretive, comparative, and/or statistical statements.

Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 139 Reporting DNA Conclusions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
conclusion, source conclusion

Opinion stated by an examiner after interpretation of observed data. The opinion is the personal judgement that the observed data can offer support for one proposition over another. A conclusion is distinct from a “proposition.”

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 142 Best Practice Recommendations for the Resolution of Conflicts in Friction Ridge Examination. AAFS Academy Standards Board, 410 North 21st Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 , 2022. Source link
Term link
conclusion, source conclusion

Opinion stated by an examiner after interpretation of observed data. The opinion is the personal judgment that the observed data can offer support for one proposition over another. A conclusion is distinct from a “proposition.”

Committee
Friction Ridge
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 167 Standard for Reporting Results from Friction Ridge Examinations. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024. Source link
Term link
Concurrently Analyzed

Analyzed at or close to the same time under the same analytical conditions (e.g., same instrument and instrumental parameters).

Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 113 Standard for Identification Criteria in Forensic Toxicology. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2022. Source link
Term link
Concurrently Analyzed

Analyzed at or close to the same time under the same analytical conditions (i.e., same instrument and instrumental parameters).

Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 098 Standard for Mass Spectral Analysis in Forensic Toxicology. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2023. Source link
Term link
Condenser Lens Aperture
metal strip mounted on a holder that is inserted into the column under the condenser lenses: the strip can have three selectable holes or one fixed hole that the electron beam passes through the center and stray electrons are then captured by the surrounding plate.
Committee
Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
Condenser Lens Current
current in the condenser lens changes the spot size or diameter of the electron beam.
Committee
Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Term link
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