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.
EBTS
EBTS
This stands for two separate application profiles of the ANSI/NIST-ITL standard:a) Acronym for the FBI's application profile of the ANSI/NIST-ITL standard:Electronic Biometric Transmission Specification.b) Acronym for the US Department of Defense's application profile of theANSI/NIST-ITL standard: Electronic Biometric TransmissionSpecification.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
Edge Characteristic
Edge Characteristic
A physical feature of the periphery of a bloodstain
Committee
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 033, Terms and Definitions in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017.
Source link
Eectrostatic detection device (EDD)
Eectrostatic detection device (EDD)
An instrument that uses an electrostatic charge along with toner distribution as the mechanism to visualize paper fiber disturbances (for example, indentations and erasures).
Committee
Forensic Document Examination
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 044 Standard for Examination of Documents for Indentations. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019.
Source link
Effect Pigment
Effect Pigment
any paint pigment that is designed to produce a significant change in color attribute(s) in a paint film when the film is viewed or illuminated from varied angles.
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
Effective Fire Temperatures
Effective Fire Temperatures
Temperatures reached in fires that produce physical effects that can be related to specific temperature ranges.
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
EFS
EFS
Extended Feature Set for markup of friction ridge data [2015a>]as defined in fields9.300-9.399 [
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
EFTS
EFTS
The FBI's earlier application profile of the ANSI/NIST-ITL standard: Electronic FingerprintTransmission Specification. It has been superseded by EBTS.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
Elastomer
Elastomer
the polymeric backbone of a pressure sensitive adhesive imparting elastic properties, for example, rubber.
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
Elastomer
Elastomer
a material that can be deformed but when the forces are removed it returns to its original form. Serves as the base material for pressure sensitive adhesives.
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
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia
A disease of the elbow joint of canines caused by growth disturbances in the elbow joint.
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
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia
A disease of the elbow joint of canines caused by growth disturbances in the elbow joint.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 085 Standard for Detection Canine Selection, Kenneling, and Healthcare. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Electric match
Electric match
a device, designed and used for the electrical ignition of fireworks and pyrotechnic articles, that contains a small amount of pyrotechnic material, which ignites when a specified electric current flows through the leads.
Discussion—An electric current is passed through the bridgewire, using a wire circuit, and a temperature rise occurs in the bridgewire that ignites a small dab of match composition. A burst of flame is produced that ignites a section of fuse or a charge of pyrotechnic composition.
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
Electric Spark
Electric Spark
A small, incandescent particle created by some arcs.
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
Electric Squib
Electric Squib
a small tube or block containing a small quantity of ignition composition in contact with a wire bridge.
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
Electrical Discharge Machine (Edm)
Electrical Discharge Machine (Edm)
A machine which uses electrical discharges to produce a desired design in a footwear or tire mold.
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
Electronic Dental Record (Edr)
Electronic Dental Record (Edr)
The complete longitudinal electronic dental history of an individual
Committee
Medicolegal Death Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 108 Forensic Odontology in Disaster Victim Identification: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal Authority. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Electronically Stored Information (Esi)
Electronically Stored Information (Esi)
A broad concept that includes public or private information stored in an electronic or digital medium, such as data available from computers (including email), CD-ROM discs, DVDs, Internet, cloud storage, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones, tablets, GPS systems, satellites, and drones. ESI includes writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, sound recordings, images, video recordings, data compilations, computer-aided design files such as blueprints or maps, metadata, equipment/process control and data logging system files, and any other data that is stored electronically.
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
Electropherogram
Electropherogram
A plot of fluorescence units over time showing the measured peaks of a DNA molecule atvarious genetic locations.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
electrophoresis
electrophoresis
A technique used in laboratories to separate macromolecules based on size. Charged molecules (e.g. proteins, DNA and RNA) migrate towards an oppositely charged pole through a sieving matrix, which permits a size-dependent separation.
Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 106 Wildlife Forensics—Protein Serology Method for Taxonomic Identification. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2020.
Source link
Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis
A technique used in laboratories to separate macromolecules based on size and charge. Negatively charged molecules (e.g. DNA and RNA) migrate towards a positively charged pole through a sieving matrix, which permits a size-dependent separation.
Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 115 Standard for Training in Forensic Short Tandem Repeat Typing Methods using Amplification, DNA Separation, and Allele Detection. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2020.
Source link
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (Esda)
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (Esda)
An instrument used to visualize paper fiber disturbances (e.g. indentations, erasures, typewritten material/lift off, footwear and tire impressions).
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
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (Esda) Or Electrostatic Detection Device
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (Esda) Or Electrostatic Detection Device
The examination of (writing) indentations of paper.
Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2017 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2017.
Source link
Electrostatic Detection Device
Electrostatic Detection Device
An instrument used to visualize paper fiber disturbances (e.g. indentations, erasures, typewritten material/lift off, footwear and tire impressions).
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
electrostatic detection device (EDD)
electrostatic detection device (EDD)
An instrument that uses electrostatic charge as the mechanism to visualize paper fiber disturbances (for example, indentations, erasures, typewritten material/lift off).
Committee
Forensic Document Examination
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 035 Standard for the Examination of Documents for Alterations. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2020.
Source link
Electrostatic Lifting
Electrostatic Lifting
The process of using an electrostatic charge to transfer dry origin impressions from the substrate to a film.
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
Electrostatic Lifting
Electrostatic Lifting
The process of using an electrostatic charge to transfer dry origin impressions from the substrate toa film.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 052 Best Practice Recommendation for the Detection and Collection of Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2022.
Source link
Electrostatic Lifting
Electrostatic Lifting
The process of using an electrostatic charge to transfer dry origin impressions from the substrate to a film.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 049 Best Practice Recommendation for Lifting of Footwear and Tire Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2020.
Source link
Element
Element
A single geometric component of a footwear outsole or tire tread design.
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
Element
Element
In XML, an element is a building block delimited by a start-tag (for example:) and an end-tag (for example: ). Everything between thestart-tag and the end-tag of the element (exclusive) is called the element's content. Thefields, subfields, and information items used by traditional-encoding (non-XML)are all represented by XML elements in this encoding.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
element of interest
element of interest
an element that can be found in a pGSR particle.
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
elimination database
elimination database
Searchable collection of elimination profiles
Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 171 Best Practice Recommendations for the Management and Use of Quality Assurance DNA Elimination Databases in Forensic DNA Analysis . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2024.
Source link
Elimination Impressions, Photographs, And/Or Items
Elimination Impressions, Photographs, And/Or Items
Footwear or tires, or recordings of footwear outsoles or tire treads, from sources such as police officers, paramedics and their vehicles for the purpose of comparing to the questioned crime scene impressions.
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
elimination profile
elimination profile
DNA profile from an individual whose access, role, or activities might result in DNA contamination; includes profiles associated with consumables and positive controls; but not case-specific known DNA reference standards or exemplars
Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 171 Best Practice Recommendations for the Management and Use of Quality Assurance DNA Elimination Databases in Forensic DNA Analysis . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2024.
Source link
Eluent
Eluent
the solvent mixture that acts as the mobile phase in TLC.
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
Elution
Elution
the process of removing an adsorbed substance from an adsorbent by a solvent.
Discussion—This term can also refer to the process of a sample passing through a chromatographic stationary phase under the influence of a mobile phase.
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
Empirical Data
Empirical Data
Factual data that is based on actual measurement, observation or direct sensory experience rather than on theory.
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
Emulsion
Emulsion
a stable mixture of two or more immiscible liquids held in suspension by small percentages of substances called emulsifiers.
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
Emulsion Explosive
Emulsion Explosive
a class of high explosive consisting of liquid solutions of an oxidizer, fuel, and water blended with a sensitizer and an emulsifier.
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
Endian (Big Or Little)
Endian (Big Or Little)
The order of significance in a number. Big endian places the most significant byte (ordigit) first. Little endian places the most significant byte (or digit) last. Humans tend torepresent numbers as big-endian, with 10 representing ten and not one.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Speaker Recognition
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
Endoparasite
Endoparasite
An organism that lives in (internal) another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.
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
Endoparasite
Endoparasite
An organism that lives in (internal) another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 085 Standard for Detection Canine Selection, Kenneling, and Healthcare. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Energetic
Energetic
an explosive compound used to enhance the burning rate of a powder.
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
Energetic Material
Energetic Material
any mixture or single material able to rapidly release energy upon initiation.
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
Energy
Energy
A property of matter manifested as an ability to perform work, either by moving an object against a force or by transferring heat.
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
Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS, EDXA, EDX)
Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS, EDXA, EDX)
X-ray spectroscopy based on the simultaneous measurement of the energies of X-rays emitted by a sample.
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
Enhance
Enhance
in audio, image, and video analysis, to improve the perceptual recognition or quality of a signal of interest.
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
Enhancement
Enhancement
In audio, image, and video analysis, the process of improving the perceptual recognition or quality of a signal of interest.
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
Enhancement
Enhancement
Improving the visibility of an impression through physical, photographic, digital, optical, or chemical means
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
Enroll
Enroll
to capture a biometric sample, extract the relevant features, convert them to a template, and use it to form a reference for matching.
Discussion—Enrollment most often is performed to populate a gallery, but it can also refer to the creation of a probe.
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
Entire Joint Image (EJI)
Entire Joint Image (EJI)
An exemplar image containing all four full-finger views for a single finger.(See Figure 4)
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link