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.
The systematic process of removing debris from the top down and observing the relative location of artifacts at the fire scene.
A period in which early progress in learning appears to have stopped and improvement is at a standstill. The plateau is followed by a new period of progress.
Indicates that the transaction element was valid in previous versions of the standard.Systems claiming conformance to this version of the standard shall only use the elementwhen transmitting information stored prior to the adoption of this version of the standard.
This characterizes the dispersion of values used for measuring dental age assessment based on the variation within the data.
A product of an EDD examination. The developed toner image on the imaging film is preserved by applying fixing film to create a lift.
An adhesive or other medium used to capture and preserve an impression.
Use of a xenon flash in the manufacturing of a flat die stamp. Numerous light bursts are used to seal the background of the stamp pad leaving open micropores in the area of the flat die to print the text.
The probability of the evidence under one proposition (hypothesis), divided by the probability of the evidence under an alternative, mutually exclusive proposition (hypothesis). The magnitude of its value expresses the weight of the evidence.
An estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably differentiatedfrom blank matrix and identified by the analytical method.
An estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably differentiated from blank matrix and identified by the analytical method.
Estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably differentiated from blank matrix and meets identification criteria.
An estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably differentiated from blank matrix and identified by the analytical method.
An estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably differentiated from blank matrix and identified by the analytical method
An estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably differentiated from blank matrix and identified by the analytical method.
Estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably differentiated from blank matrix and identified by the analytical method
1) For a test, the point at which the sensitivity of the test is such that the quantity or concentration of a component present is insufficient to produce a positive test result or be detected. 2) For instrumental analysis, the point below which it is not possible to reliably distinguish analytical signal data from instrument background noise; typically defined as three times the standard deviation of the average background noise; The LOD may be calculated to aid in setting an analytical threshold for the reporting and interpretation of alleles in a DNA profile electropherogram.
A site designed to test the canine's ability to search and indicate independently of the handler.
Quantification technique to estimate the actual number of individuals based on the number of paired and unpaired bones.
Utilization of a canine to scent discriminate among a predetermined sequence of items with target odor/scent(s) versus non-target odor/scent(s).
Consists of finding the best-fit linear relationship between the instrument response (Y) and the concentration of the analyte in the calibrator (X)
Method of estimating stature based on a statistical procedure for describing a relationship between stature and bone dimension that can be used to predict the former from the latter.
The borders defining the differences in fire effects on materials between the affected area and adjacent, less-affected areas.
The nonrandom association, in a population, of alleles at different loci.
Document(s) exposed to or immersed in liquid(s).
Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.
A person’s recorded height, which may be derived from various sources including self-reported stature, family remembrance, or direct measurement.
Utilization of a trailing canine to determine if a matching scent is located at a specific site or not by using a scent article.
Utilization of a trailing canine to determine if an associated scent is located at a specific site or not by using a scent article.
A test involving one odor per 0.3 meters (1 foot), 1 minute per odor.
A unique physical location of a gene (or specific sequence of DNA) within a chromosome; the plural of locus is loci (which is pronounced low-sigh).
A unique physical location on the DNA molecule.
A physical location of a gene or specific sequence of DNA on a chromosome.
A unique physical location of a gene (or specific sequence of DNA) on a chromosome.