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.
Isotropic
item
Object, substance or material that is collected, derived, or sampled as part of the forensic process.
item
[An] object, substance, or material that is collected, derived, or sampled as part of the forensic process. (ISO 21043-1:2018)
ITL
Acronym for the Information Technology Laboratory of NIST. Seehttp://www.nist.gov/itl/
IUPAC
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. See http://www.iupac.org
Jfif
JPEG File Interchange Format. See http://www.jpeg.org
Job Performance Requirement
A statement that describes a specific job task, lists the items necessary to complete the task, and defines measurable or observable outcomes and evaluation areas for the specific task.
Joule
The preferred SI unit of heat, energy, or work. A joule is the heat produced when one ampere is passed through a resistance of one ohm for one second, or it is the work required to move a distance of one meter against a force of one newton. There are 4.184 joules in a calorie, and 1055 joules in a British thermal unit (Btu). A watt is a joule/second. [See also British Thermal Unit (Btu), and Calorie.]
Jpeg
Image compression and storage format specified by the Joint Photographic ExpertsGroup. It is discrete cosine transform-based.
Jpeg 2000
Image compression and storage format specified by the Joint Photographic ExpertsGroup. It is a wavelet-based method.
jurisdiction
(1) Legal authority to make legal decisions and judgments regarding a death, including performance of autopsy, as well as investigation and certification of cause and manner of death.
(2) Geographic area in which a medical examiner or coroner’s authority applies.
jury trial
A trial where jurors sit as the trier of fact.
Kennel Assistant
The trained person who undertakes husbandry duties.
Keratin
kerf
The notch or groove in bone, tooth, or cartilage made by an object that is edged, pointed, or beveled.
Keying
A verbal or physical action by the canine handler which causes a detector canine to change its actions or to respond to an area or item whether target odor/scent is present or not. (See cueing.)
Kilo Electron Volts, keV
Kilowatt
A measurement of energy release rate.
Kindling Temperature
See ignition temperature.
KLM Reference Lines
Knitted Fabric
knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA)
The level of information, qualifications, and experience needed to perform assigned tasks. Knowledge refers to acquired principles and practices related to a particular job; skills refer to acquired psychomotor behaviors; and abilities are talents, observable behaviors, or acquired dexterity.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
Known
Known
known
Of established origin associated with the matter under investigation. (SWGDOC E01) (ASTM E1732)
known different source (KDS)
Toolmarks or specimens known to have been made by different tools or different working surfaces of the same tool.
Known Footwear Or Tire
Known Image
Known Impression
known same source (KSS)
Toolmarks or specimens known to have been made by the same tool.
Known sample
Biological material for which the identity of the donor is established and used for comparison purposes.
Known Sample
Known Sample
Known soil sample
Known Voice Signal
A voice signal from an individual who has been identified, or individuated in a waythat allows linking to additional, available information about that individual.
known writing
Of established origin used for comparison with questioned writing. Known writing may be collected or requested and can consist of exemplars or purported writing.
Label (Manufacturer's Sizing Label)
Labeled
Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner.
Laboratory
body that performs one or more of the following activities: testing; calibration; sampling, associated with subsequent testing or calibrationNote 1 to entry: In the context of this document, laboratory activities refer to the three above-mentionedactivities.
Laboratory
The entity providing the analysis, including the staff and the physical facility.
laboratory‐developed test method
type of non-standard test method designed and used within a single laboratory or laboratory system
landscape mode
A horizontal orientation of a document or image.
laser printer
Nonimpact printer that uses a laser light source driven by digital signals to create images on a photoconductor (see 3.1.143 electrophotography). (ASTM F909)
Last
Last Known Position (Lkp) Point Last Seen (Pls)
Point on a map where the person was last identified or spotted by a witness.
Latent Impression
Latent Learning
Learning that takes place unintentionally, and does not manifest in overt behavior at that time, but may become evident at a later stage.
Latent Print
An impression or image of friction ridge skin left on a surface.
Law Enforcement Officer (LEO)
Any public employee whose duties primarily involve the enforcement or investigation of alleged or suspected violations of law.