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 representative portion of the specimen selected and prepared for analysis that is expected to exhibit all of the elemental characteristics of the parent specimen.
A method of DNA sequencing for determining the order of bases in a DNA molecule based on the selective incorporation of chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides by DNA polymerase during in vitro DNA replication. See sequencing below.
A method of DNA sequencing for determining the order of bases in a DNA molecule based on the selective incorporation of chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides by DNA polymerase during in vitro DNA replication.
A method of DNA sequencing for determining the order of bases in a DNA molecule based on the selective incorporation of chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides by DNA polymerase during in vitro DNA replication.
Subject Acquisition Profile. With the exception of mobile device SAP levels, they are aseries of sets of progressively more stringent parameters and requirements relevant toface acquisition. Subject Acquisition profiles for iris are denoted as Iris acquisitionprofiles (IAP), and those for fingerprints are denoted as Fingerprint acquisitionprofiles (FAP). The term SAP had been used exclusively for face acquisition in earlierversions of the standard. [2015a>] In the Mobile ID Best Practices RecommendationsVersion 1, face, finger and iris application profiles were all referred to as SAP. Theyare referred to separately in this standard. This was changed in Mobile ID Best Practices Recommendations Version 2 to be consistent with this standard.
When a reinforcer loses its effectiveness as a result of being overused.
overlapping, plate-like structures composed of keratin that form the cuticle.
Computerized tomography scan.
A type of electron microscope in which a focused electron beam is scanned in a raster on a solid sample surface; the term can also include the analytical technique of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
The number of pixels per unit distance at which an image is captured (ppmm or ppi).
Healed fibrous tissue resulting from an injury to the skin.
The general physical location of a fire or explosion incident (geographic area, structure or portion of a structure, vehicle, boat, piece of equipment, etc.) designated as important to the investigation because it may contain physical damage or debris, evidence, victims, or incident-related hazards.
A place, an object, a person, or an animal that is subject to and/or requires forensic examination
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
A place, an object, a person, or an animal that is subject to and/or requires forensic examination. NOTE A crime scene is a common description of a scene where a presumed crime has been committed. The scene can be a person or an animal. (ISO 21043-1:2018[E])
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.7 through 3.9 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An examination of a scene to locate, document, process, collect, and preserve items of potential evidentiary value.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An individual, however named, who is responsible for performing elements of scene investigation.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An examination of a scene to locate, document, process, collect, and preserve items of potential evidentiary value.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.7 through 3.9 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An individual, however named, who is responsible for performing elements of scene investigation.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.7 through 3.9 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
The process to gain explicit knowledge of the series of events that surround a scene using deductive and inductive reasoning, physical evidence, scientific processes, and their interrelationships.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
An individual, however named, who is responsible for performing elements of a scene reconstruction.
NOTE In a situation that involves a potential criminal act definitions in section 3.1 through 3.5 would be preceded by “crime” (e.g., crime scene investigator).
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction. Scent has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans. Odor has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance.
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction. Scent has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans. Odor has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance.
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction. Scent has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans. Odor has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance.
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction.
Volatile chemicals emitted from a live human that are perceived by the canine through olfaction. 'Scent' has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans. 'Odor' has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance. (See odor.)
An item that has been exposed to the target scent source that is used to put the canine on task
An item that has been exposed to the target scent source that is used to put the canine on task
An item that has been exposed to the target scent source that is used to put the canine on task
An item that has been exposed to the target scent source that is used to put the canine on task.
When a canine learns to identify a trained scent with a specific reward.
When a canine learns to identify a trained scent with a specific reward.
When a canine learns to identify a trained scent with a specific reward.
A funnel-shaped scent pathway, which extends down-wind from the target, becoming wider the farther away from the target. The canine is able to locate the target by moving upwind.
The ability of the canine to use olfactory capabilities to differentiate one scent from another.
The ability of the canine to use olfactory capabilities to differentiate one scent from another.
The ability of the canine to use olfactory capabilities to differentiate one scent from another.
The ability of the canine to use olfactory capabilities to differentiate one scent from another
Operational usage: A dog's olfactory ability to distinguish between various odors.
Environmental conditions/factors/influences affecting the movement of scent from a fixed scent source.
Environmental conditions/factors/influences affecting the movement of scent from a fixed scent source.
Environmental conditions/factors/influences affecting the movement of scent from a fixed scent source.
Environmental conditions/factors/influences affecting the movement of scent from a fixed scent source. Movement of the source creates a separate scent cone at the new location.
See matching-to-sample.
When a canine learns to identify a trained odor/scent with a specific reward.
The combination of odors/scents that are present when a detector canine responds to a trained odor/scent.
A material used to collect target scent from a person, object, or location for subsequent presentation to the canine.
Dispersion of scent in a given environment. (See 3.58 scent dispersion.)
Dispersion of scent in a given environment. (See scent cone/scent dispersion.)