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.
Lossless Compression
Lossless Compression
a data reduction process that is completely reversible, such that all of the original data can be retrieved in its original form.
Committee
Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Lossy
Lossy
descriptive term for encoding and decoding processes that are not lossless.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Lossy Compression
Lossy Compression
a data reduction process that is not completely reversible, and some original data is irretrievably lost.
Committee
Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
low copy number (LCN)
low copy number (LCN)
A term for DNA or DNA analysis of small quantities of DNA that require modification to PCR protocols to enhance amplification success of the target molecule.
Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 048 Wildlife Forensic DNA Standard Procedures. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2019.
Source link
Low e-Glass
Low e-Glass
a dichroic mirror that is coated with an IR reflective surface.
Discussion—Such glass is suitable for use as a sample support when performing IR reflection techniques.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Low Explosive
Low Explosive
An explosive that has a reaction velocity of less than 1000 m/sec (3000 ft/sec).
Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2021 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2021.
Source link
Low Explosives
Low Explosives
energetic materials that function by deflagration.
Committee
Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Low Order
Low Order
a descriptive of an explosive that undergoes incomplete reaction (or detonation) of the material as designed.
Committee
Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Low Profile
Low Profile
A term describing a tire that has a low aspect ratio, thus a short sidewall.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 097, Terminology Used for Forensic Footwear and Tire Evidence. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019.
Source link
Low Resolution Mass Spectrometry (Lrms)
Low Resolution Mass Spectrometry (Lrms)
A mass spectrometer limited to nominal mass resolution measurements (see nominal mass).
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 113 Standard for Identification Criteria in Forensic Toxicology. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2022.
Source link
Low-Order Damage
Low-Order Damage
A slow rate of pressure rise or low-force explosion characterized by a pushing or dislodging effect on the confining structure or container and by short missile distances.
Committee
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
NFPA 921:2021 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 2021.
Source link
Lower Limit Of Detection
Lower Limit Of Detection
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
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 120 Standard for the Analytical Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicology Testing in Impaired Drivibg Investigations. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Lower Limit Of Quantitation
Lower Limit Of Quantitation
An estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably measured with acceptable bias and precision
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 121 Standard for the Analytical Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicology Urine Testing in Drug-Facilitated Crime Investigations. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Lower Limit Of Quantitation
Lower Limit Of Quantitation
An estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably measuredwith acceptable bias and precision.
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 119 Standard for the Analytical Scope and Sensitivity of Forensic Toxicological Testing of Blood in Medicolegal
Death Investigations. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Lower Limit Of Quantitation (Lloq)
Lower Limit Of Quantitation (Lloq)
An estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably measured with acceptable bias and precision.
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 036 Standard Practices for Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019.
Source link
Lower Limit Of Quantitation (LLOQ)
Lower Limit Of Quantitation (LLOQ)
Estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably measured with acceptable bias and precision.
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 017 Standard for Metrological Traceability in Forensic Toxicology. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2025.
Source link
Lower Limit of Quantitation (LLOQ)
Lower Limit of Quantitation (LLOQ)
estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably measured with acceptable bias and precision
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 055 Standard for Breath Alcohol Measuring Instrument Calibration. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2024.
Source link
lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ)
lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ)
Estimate of the lowest concentration of an analyte in a sample that can be reliably measured with acceptable bias and precision
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 056 Standard for Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty in Forensic Toxicology . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2025.
Source link
Lumbar Spine
Lumbar Spine
The seven vertebrae between the ribs and the pelvis.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017.
Source link
Lumbar Spine
Lumbar Spine
The seven vertebrae between the ribs and the pelvis.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 085 Standard for Detection Canine Selection, Kenneling, and Healthcare. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Lumen
Lumen
the cavity or central canal present in many natural fibers (for example, cotton, flax, ramie, jute, hemp); its presence and structure are often useful aids in identification.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Luster
Luster
the gloss or shine possessed by a fiber, resulting from its reflection of light; the luster of manufactured fibers is often modified by use of a delustering pigment.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Lux
Lux
The unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, measuring luminous flux per unit area.It is equal to one lumen per square meter
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
M-Law
M-Law
A companding algorithm used in North America and Japan that optimizes an analog telephone band signal while digitizing.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
Mac Address
Mac Address
Media Access Control address, a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
Machine Direction
Machine Direction
the direction of the tape that runs the length of the tape.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Machine Resolution, Optical Resolution
Machine Resolution, Optical Resolution
a nominal resolution specification for a flatbed scanner based on the actual number of pixels per inch in the sensor array and the number of individual steps per inch that the stepper motor can move the sensor array. This is to be distinguished from the maximum resolution specification that is based on resampling. This is also called optical resolution.
Committee
Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Macroscopic
Macroscopic
a term that describes characteristics large enough to be perceived without magnification.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Magnitude Of Reinforcement
Magnitude Of Reinforcement
The size, strength, or duration of a reward following a behavior.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017.
Source link
Main Explosive Charge
Main Explosive Charge
the final explosive in an explosive train.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Maintenance Training
Maintenance Training
Continuing training conducted beyond the initial training of a discipline, designed to maintain a level of proficiency by ensuring the canine team's capability to perform desired tasks.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017.
Source link
Maintence Training
Maintence Training
Continuing training conducted beyond the initial training of a discipline, designed to maintain a level of proficiency by ensuring the canine team's capability to perform desired tasks.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 027 Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Humans: Patrol Canine Team. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Maintence Training
Maintence Training
Continuing training conducted beyond the initial training of a discipline, designed to maintain a level of proficiency by ensuring the canine team's capability to perform desired tasks.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 024 Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Humans: Location Check Using Pre‐scented Canines. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Manner Of Death
Manner Of Death
Classification system based on the circumstances under which death occurred; includes accident, homicide, natural, suicide, and undetermined.
Committee
Medicolegal Death Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 125 Organizational and Foundational Standard for Medicolegal Death Investigation. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
manner of death
manner of death
Classification system based on the circumstances under which death occurred and any available postmortem findings, as known to the MDI authority at the time of certification; usually consists of accident, homicide, natural, suicide, and undetermined. Manner of death classification is a statutory function of the medicolegal death investigation authority, as part of death certification for purposes of vital statistics and public health, and does not imply a legal or judicial conclusion.
Committee
Medicolegal Death Investigation
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 151 , Medicolegal Death Investigation: Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2025.
Source link
Manual Comparison
Manual Comparison
See photographic comparison.
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Manufactured Fiber
Manufactured Fiber
a class name for various genera of filament, tow, or staple produced from fiber-forming substances which can be (1) polymers synthesized from chemical compounds, (2) modified or transformed natural polymers, or (3) glass.
Discussion—Acrylic, nylon, polyester, olefin, urethane, and polyvinyl are examples of fiber synthesized from chemical compounds. Cellulose-based fibers, such as acetate and rayons, and alginate fibers are examples of modified or transformed polymers.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Manufactured Fiber
Manufactured Fiber
a class name for various genera of fibers (including filaments) produced from fiber-forming substances which can be (1) polymers synthesized from chemical compounds [synthetic fibers], (2) modified or transformed natural polymers [regenerated fibers], and (3) minerals, for example, glasses.
Committee
Trace Materials
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Manufacturing Defect
Manufacturing Defect
Unintended damage, defects or flaws in the footwear outsole or tire tread that occurs during manufacturing, which depending on their cause, could result in class or randomly acquired characteristics.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 097, Terminology Used for Forensic Footwear and Tire Evidence. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019.
Source link
manufacturing defect
manufacturing defect
An anomaly produced during the die’s manufacturing process resulting in a damaged area creating a non-print area in the impression. This is often referred to as a permanent defect.
Committee
Forensic Document Examination
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 117 Standard for Examination of Stamping Devices and Stamp Impressions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2020.
Source link
Manufacturing Variable
Manufacturing Variable
Features that occur during the manufacturing process that do not appear on all of the footwear/tires but may appear on more than one. Examples would be the precise positioning of foxing strips, the precise cutting of die cut or Wellman cut soles, the positioning of stitching that is added to the bottom of some soles, or a bent sipe blade in a tire mold, etc.
Committee
Footwear & Tire
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ASB TR 097, Terminology Used for Forensic Footwear and Tire Evidence. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019.
Source link
Mark
Mark
The point where a needle has pierced the skin, usually associated with drug use.
Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 Update:2015 Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information. ANSI/National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011.
Source link
Marker
Marker
a colored grain of smokeless powder to assist in the visual identification of a bulk reloading smokeless powder.
Committee
Ignitable Liquids, Explosives & Gunshot Residue
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org
Marker (Dna)
Marker (Dna)
A gene or specific DNA sequence of known location on a chromosome or genome.
Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 047 Wildlife Forensics Validation Standard - Validating New Primers for Sequencing. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2019.
Source link
marker (DNA)
marker (DNA)
A gene or specific DNA sequence of known location on a chromosome; used as a point of reference in the mapping of other loci.
Committee
Wildlife Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 046 Wildlife Forensics Validation Standards—STR Analysis. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 2019.
Source link
Masking
Masking
automated function where results above or below a specified threshold are reported with a defined result. For example, the instrument may report “ethanol below administrative threshold” or “0.000 g/210 L ethanol” for a response below 0.005 g/210 L. Another example may be reporting “Results greater than 0.400 g/210 L” or “Over Range” for a response above 0.400 g/210 L.
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 055 Standard for Breath Alcohol Measuring Instrument Calibration . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2024.
Source link
Masking Odor/Scent
Masking Odor/Scent
The presence of an odor/scent that impedes detection of the target odor/scent source.
Committee
Dogs & Sensors
Date Added to Lexicon
Technical Report/Other Source (Author, Title of report. Publisher, Year.)
ANSI/Academy Standards Board (ASB), Crime Scene/Death Investigation - Dogs and Sensors - Terms and Definitions. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2017.
Source link
Mass-To-Charge Ratio
Mass-To-Charge Ratio
The mass of an ion divided by its charge.
Committee
Forensic Toxicology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 098 Standard for Mass Spectral Analysis in Forensic Toxicology. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2023.
Source link
Massively Parallel Sequencing
Massively Parallel Sequencing
One of a number of high throughput DNA sequencing techniques. Also referred to as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 131 Standard for Training in Forensic DNA Sequencing using Capillary Electrophoresis. AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 2021.
Source link
Master Evidence
Master Evidence
the original retrieved data irrespective of media (for example, if the recorded video from the DVR hard drive was downloaded to CD/DVD, that CD/DVD is defined as the master).
Committee
Facial & Iris Identification
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2025.
Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org