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 small tube or block containing a small quantity of ignition composition in contact with a wire bridge.
The complete longitudinal electronic dental history of an individual
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.
A plot of fluorescence units over time showing the measured peaks of a DNA molecule atvarious genetic locations.
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.
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.
The examination of (writing) indentations of paper.
An instrument that uses electrostatic charge as the mechanism to visualize paper fiber disturbances (for example, indentations, erasures, typewritten material/lift off).
The process of using an electrostatic charge to transfer dry origin impressions from the substrate toa film.
The process of using an electrostatic charge to transfer dry origin impressions from the substrate to a film.
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.
Searchable collection of elimination profiles
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
the solvent mixture that acts as the mobile phase in TLC.
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.
Factual data that is based on actual measurement, observation or direct sensory experience rather than on theory.
a stable mixture of two or more immiscible liquids held in suspension by small percentages of substances called emulsifiers.
a class of high explosive consisting of liquid solutions of an oxidizer, fuel, and water blended with a sensitizer and an emulsifier.
An organism that lives in (internal) another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.
An organism that lives in (internal) another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.
an explosive compound used to enhance the burning rate of a powder.
any mixture or single material able to rapidly release energy upon initiation.
A property of matter manifested as an ability to perform work, either by moving an object against a force or by transferring heat.
X-ray spectroscopy based on the simultaneous measurement of the energies of X-rays emitted by a sample.
in audio, image, and video analysis, to improve the perceptual recognition or quality of a signal of interest.
In audio, image, and video analysis, the process of improving the perceptual recognition or quality of a signal of interest.
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.
An exemplar image containing all four full-finger views for a single finger.(See Figure 4)
The process of air or gases being drawn into a fire, plume, or jet.
See acclimation.
The process of improving the mental and physical welfare of animals by providing behavioral choices through enhancements to their environment.
The process of improving the mental and physical welfare of animals by providing behavioral choices through enhancements to their environment.
The ability of the canine to work, maneuver, search and rest in various conditions of noise, odor, surfaces without demonstrating fear or anxiety.
The ability of the canine to work, maneuver, search and rest in various conditions of noise, odor, surfaces without demonstrating fear or anxiety
Instruction and evaluation procedures used to teach a canine to work, and determine whether a canine can work, in a variety of operational environments with increasing biological and physical complexity, which may distract or inhibit the canine from work. The training and testing, respectively, are designed to teach the canine to work, and assure that the canine can work, in a variety of operational environments, some of which may be extreme.
A catalytic protein that can speed up a specific chemical reaction without being changed or consumed in the process.
set of laboratory tools, apparatus, and hardware used to process test items (for example, ovens, beakers, pipettes, vortexers, fume hoods, etc.).
The area where material has been removed from a document by chemical, abrasive, or other means.
a spectral artifact resulting from incomplete deposition of the energy of an X-ray entering the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer detector.
Discussion—An escape peak is produced when an incoming X-ray excites a silicon atom within the detector crystal, and the resulting Si Kα fluorescence X-ray exits the detector crystal. It occurs at the energy for the original X-ray minus the energy of the Si Kα fluorescence X-ray (1.74 keV). The escape peak intensity is about 1-2 % of the parent peak.
a peak resulting from incomplete deposition of the energy of an X-ray entering the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer detector.
Discussion—This peak is produced when an incoming X-ray excites a silicon atom within the detector crystal, and the resulting Si K-α fluorescence X-ray exits the detector crystal. It occurs at the principal peak energy minus the energy of the Si K-α fluorescence X-ray (1.74 keV). The escape peak intensity is about 1 to 2 % of the parent peak.
A conditioning technique in which the subject canine learns to escape or terminate an unpleasant stimulus.
The relationship between a performance and an aversive stimulus in which the performance terminates the aversive stimulus.