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 type of extinction in which the vibration directions are parallel to the crystal faces.
a type of extinction in which the vibration directions bisect a prominent interfacial angle of the crystal.
To cause to cease burning.
Total cellular DNA isolated from a biological sample to include nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.
An estimation of a drug concentration (e.g., ethanol) at a time other than the time of sample collection. There are two types of extrpolation: back [retrograde] and forward [anterograde] extrapolation
Organization responsible for recovering corneas/eyes from donors.
An investigative technique combining anatomical knowledge, artistic capability, and forensic anthropological evidence to render an estimate of an individual’s facial appearance in life.
An investigative technique combining anatomical knowledge, artistic capability, and forensic anthropological evidence to render an estimate of an individuals facial appearance in life.
physical environment used to protect the item integrity, to conduct testing or to support any other aspect of the forensic process
EXAMPLE: Building, designated area, tent, (mobile) office, (mobile) laboratory, vehicle.
A positive control (see 3.7) or negative control (see 3.6) that produces an unexpected result.
Distortion, breakage, deterioration, or other fault in an item, component, system, assembly, or structure that results in unsatisfactory performance of the function for which it was designed.
A logical, systematic examination of an item, component, assembly, or structure and its place and function within a system, conducted in order to identify and analyze the probability, causes, and consequences of potential and real failures.
A logical, systematic examination of an item, component, assembly, or structure and its place and function within a system, conducted in order to identify and analyze the probability, causes, and consequences of potential and real failures.
See drop down.
An indication/trained final response demonstrated by the canine in the absence of the target odor/scent; a situation in which the canine exhibits the trained final response in the absence of the odor/scent on which he/she was trained to find.
An indication/trained final response demonstrated by the canine in the absence of the target odor/scent; a situation in which the canine exhibits the trained final response in the absence of the odor/scent on which he /she was trained to find.
An indication/trained final response demonstrated by the canine in the absence of the target odor/scent; a situation in which the canine exhibits the trained final response in the absence of the odor/scent on which he or she was trained to find.
A depression or void that is intentionally created in a search environment by the assessor/ evaluator/handler that does not contain and has not contained the odor of human remains. This is a distractor depression or void.
Any location, person, or item incorrectly identified by the canine handler. (See false alert)
Operational usage: A response indicating that something is not true or not present when it is true or present. Scientific usage: Type II error.
Operational usage: A response indicating that something is not true or not present when it is true or present. Scientific usage: Type II error.
A response indicating that something is true or present when it is not true or absent. Scientific usage: Type I error.
A response indicating that something is true or present when it is not true or absent. Scientific usage: Type I error.
A response indicating that something is true or present when it is not true or absent. Scientific usage: Type I error.
Within this document the false positive rate is defined as the number (or percentage) of Known Non-Matches which are incorrectly determined to be an Identification.
In a controlled environment, the canine responds as if a trained substance was present when it is known that it is not. (See false positive.)
The level of taxonomic classification that generally defines groups of genera.
Acronym for Fingerprint Acquisition12 Profile. It is a series of sets of progressivelymore stringent parameters and requirements relevant to fingerprint acquisition.[2015a>] In the Mobile ID Best Practices Recommendations Version 1, face, finger andiris application profiles were all referred to as SAP. They are referred to separately inthis standard. This was changed in Mobile ID Best Practices RecommendationsVersion 2 to be consistent with this standard. [
A European Union-funded project designed to develop an operational commonality ofidentification data between INTERPOL member countries in the event of a disaster.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States Department of Justice.
The FD-249 is an Arrest and Institution Fingerprint card (white card with red ink) usedfor criminal submissions to the FBI and certain other law enforcement organizations.See http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/forms/description-fd249
The FD-258 is the Applicant Fingerprint Card (white card with blue ink) used forsubmission to the FBI and certain other law enforcement organizations as part of abackground check. See http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/forms/description-fd258
A behavioral response involving the autonomic nervous system (e.g., fight or flight) in the presence of real or imagined danger involving avoidance and, or withdrawal under circumstances where the canine is distressed.