OSAC Lexicon

An organization or individual that provides forensic science services.

Also referenced in ANSI/ASB 017 Standard Practices for Measurement Traceability in Forensic Toxicology, ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, ANSI/ASTM E2917-24a Standard Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs, ANSI/ASTM E3255-21 Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Forensic Science Service Providers Performing Forensic Chemical Analysis, ANSI/ASB 142-22 Best Practice Recommendations for the Resolution of Conflicts in Friction Ridge Examination, ANSI/ASB Standard 157-23 Required Components for a Proficiency Testing Program in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
 

The detection, characterization, identification, and/or typing of body tissues and fluids, either in native form or as stains or residues left at a crime scene using physical methods (e.g. normal and enhanced lighting), biochemical assays, reactions and/or microscopy.

The detection, characterization, identification, and/or typing of body tissues and fluids, either in native form or as stains or residues left at a crime scene using physical methods (e.g. normal and enhanced lighting), biochemical assays, reactions and/or microscopy.

Organization or individual that conducts and/or supplies forensic services. ISO 21043-1

organization that performs all or part of the forensic process (3.25). 

Note 1 to entry: A forensic service provide can be a large or small organization, including an organization consisting of a single examiner (3.20)

Numbers in the parenthesis refers to additional terms in the standard.

Also referenced in ANSI/ASB 145 Standard for Consultation During Friction Ridge Examination, ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 144 Best Practice Recommendations for the Verification Component in Friction Ridge Examination, ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 165 Best Practice Recommendation for Analysis of Friction Ridge Impressions, ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 166 Best Practice Recommendation for Comparison and Evaluation of Friction Ridge Impressions, ANSI/ASB 014 Standard for Friction Ridge Examination Training Program, ANSI/ASB Standard 015 Standard for Examining Friction Ridge Impressions, ANSI/ASB 168 Standard for Testimony Monitoring in Friction Ridge Examination, ANSI/ASB 143 Standard for Technical Review in Friction Ridge Examination, ANSI/ASB 167 Standard for Reporting Results from Friction Ridge Examinations.

Activities included in the collection, examination, and analysis of items and reporting of observations and opinions for matters of criminal justice, or for regulatory, or legal proceedings.

A document that purports to be genuine but is not, because it has been falsely altered, completed, signed, or endorsed, or contains a false addition thereto or insertion therein, or is a combination of parts of two or more genuine documents. [18 USC 513 (c) (2)] NOTE A counterfeit document is an attempt to create an exact copy of a document that exists (e.g., trying to recreate the US passport including all security features). A fabricated document is completely fictitious (e.g., creating a passport from a country that is fictitious). A forged document alters or changes a genuine document (e.g., altering the photo, name, or date on an existing passport).

The spatial arrangement of each complementary edge formation created when a single object is separated into two or more fragments. (SWGDOC E11)

The internal bony structures that give the shape and proportion to the canine.

The plane determined by the lowest point of the left eye socket and the tragions of theears.

The rate at which an event occurs.

A human scent pathway that has been present for a short period of time. A trail that is under 24 hours old.

See friction ridge features.

The combination of ridge flow, ridge characteristics, and ridge structure of friction ridge skin, as reproduced and observed in an impression. The observed data used to compare and interpret similarity or dissimilarity between impressions.

The combination of ridge flow, ridge characteristics, and ridge structure of friction ridge skin, as reproduced and observed in an impression. The observed data used to compare and interpret similarity or dissimilarity between impressions.

The combination of ridge flow, ridge characteristics, and ridge structure of friction ridge skin, as reproduced and observed in an impression. The observed data used to compare and interpret similarity or dissimilarity between impressions.

The combination of ridge flow, ridge characteristics, and ridge structure of friction ridge skin, as reproduced and observed in an impression. The observed data used to compare and interpret similarity or dissimilarity between impressions.

The combination of ridge flow, ridge characteristics, and ridge structure of friction ridge skin, as reproduced and observed in an impression. The observed data used to compare and interpret similarity or dissimilarity between impressions.

An image of an impression from the palmar surfaces of the hands or fingers, or from theplantar (sole) surfaces of the feet or toes.

The volar skin surface of the surfaces of the hands and fingers, and the plantar surfaces ofthe feet and toes.

The skin found on the palms of the hands (full palmar surface including fingers) and soles of the feet (full plantar surface including toes).

a substance capable of donating electrons to an oxidizer in a redox chemical reaction that results in the evolution of heat

Natural gas, manufactured gas, LP-Gas, and similar gases commonly used for commercial or residential purposes such as heating, cooling, or cooking.

Natural gas, manufactured gas, LP-Gas, and similar gases commonly used for commercial or residential purposes such as heating, cooling, or cooking.

The total quantity of combustible contents of a building, space, or fire area, including interior finish and trim, expressed in heat units or the equivalent weight in wood.

A fire in which the heat release rate and growth rate are controlled by the characteristics of the fuel, such as quantity and geometry, and in which adequate air for combustion is available.

An ink that will run and/or stain when it comes in contact with water or any aqueous type of solution.

Office machines that can reproduce color originals containing gradations of color (see 3.1.234 laser printer, 3.1.219 ink jet process).

A full finger view is a rolled or plain image of a full-length finger showing all segments.An entire joint image includes four full finger view images: one rolled; left, center, andright plain.

Condition in a compartment fire in which the entire volume is involved in combustion of varying intensities.

Operation of a mass spectrometer in which abundances of ions for entire mass spectrum arerecorded over a defined mass range.

The examination of a firearm concerning its mechanical condition and operation. It is usuallyperformed to determine if all safety features are operable and/or if the firearm is capable of firing acartridge.