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.
Death due solely to natural disease.
Distractor odors that are naturally occurring in the search environment that are not placed by evaluators, observers or participants. Animal remains that were not placed by someone, holes that were dug by wild animals, feces from other animals, etc. (See white noise.)
Distractor odor(s)/scent(s) that are naturally occurring in the search environment that are not placed by evaluators, observers or participants. Animal remains that were not placed by someone, holes that were dug by wild animals, feces from other animals, etc.
Distractor odor(s)/scent(s) that are naturally occurring in the search environment that are not placed by evaluators, observers or participants. Animal remains that were not placed by someone, holes that were dug by wild animals, feces from other animals, etc.
a class name for various genera of fibers (including filaments) of: (1) animal (that is, silk and wool); (2) mineral (that is, asbestos); or (3) vegetable origin (that is, cotton, flax, jute, and ramie).
National Crime Information Center of the FBI.See www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/fbi/is/ncic.htm
not diluted or mixed with any other substance.
long, thin crystals with pointed ends.
A known odor/scent sample that is used to assess the canine's proficiency in a non-matching odor/scent scenario. The canine is expected to give a negative response.
A test sample similar to the case sample(s) that does not contain the analyte(s) of interest at a reportable concentration. If an internal standard is used in the procedure, it shall be included in the negative control
A known scent sample that is used to assess the canine's proficiency in a non-associated scent scenario. The canine is expected to give a negative response.
A known scent sample that is used to assess the canine's proficiency in a non-associated scent scenario. The canine is expected to give a negative response.
a material of established origin that is used to confirm that a procedure does not produce an unintended result.
An analytical control that consists of the reagents used in various stages of testing without the introduction of sample; no results are expected from a negative control.
NOTE For DNA testing, negative controls include extraction blanks/reagent blanks and amplification blanks. A negative control in DNA testing is used to detect contamination introduced into the assay during the testing process via reagents, disposables, or handling errors (which may impact the results observed from samples tested at the same time).
An analytical control that consists of the reagents used in various stages of testing without the introduction of sample; no results are expected from a negative control. For DNA testing, negative controls include extraction blanks, reagent blanks, and amplification blanks. A negative control in DNA testing is used to detect contamination introduced into the assay during the testing process via reagents, disposables or handling errors (which may impact the results observed from samples tested at the same time).
A type of site check in which no existing scent matches the human scent on the article presented to the canine.
A type of site check in which there is no existing scent associated to the human scent on the article presented to the canine.
An alert/indication given by a canine showing no match to odor/scent, i.e., no matching trail, no substance present, etc.
A behavior exhibited by a canine showing no association to target scent, i.e., no associated target trail. This may be a specifically trained behavior or the absence of a positive response
A behavior exhibited by a canine showing no association to target scent, i.e., no associated target trail. This may be a specifically trained behavior or the absence of a positive response
Checking to confirm that incorrect or inverse inputs yield the expected output (e.g., inputting a letter when a number is required, and observing an error message).
A trained final response by a canine to a non-matching odor/scent
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
a group of two or more computers or other digital devices that communicate with each other electronically to transfer and share data.
network communications that are carried over wired or wireless networks between hosts or devices.
To remove the canine's reproductive organs.
To remove the canine's reproductive organs.
Any stimulus that has no effect on behavior before conditioning.
A procedure that is new to the BPA community and has not been validated via publication in a peer reviewed journal or documented through an agency’s internal validation Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
A biometric repository managed and operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) that enhances identification services by providing an incremental replacement of the former system, the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). Considered one of the largest biometric databases in the world, NGI stores individual fingerprint records and other biometric data for criminal and civil matters. Advanced identification technology provides rapid, efficient, and accurate fingerprint processing.
The person(s) who stand(s) in the closest legally recognized relationship to a deceased individual.
NIST Fingerprint Image Quality. See www.nist.gov/itl/iad/ig/bio_quality.cfm.
The FBI's Next Generation Identification, which provides an incremental replacementof IAFIS technical capabilities, while introducing new functionality.
National Information Exchange Model. It is a partnership of US Federal agencies. It isdesigned to develop, disseminate and support enterprise-wide information exchangestandards and processes that can enable jurisdictions to effectively share criticalinformation in emergency situations, as well as support the day-to-day operations ofagencies throughout the U.S.
One of the subject-matter domains of NIEM. It was established in July 2012 to supportbiometric-related alignment of XML standards. The Biometric domain develops astandardized data model and code lists that form the foundation of the biometricsschema within NIEM. The ombudsman of the NIEM biometrics domain is the convenerof ANSI/NIST-ITL, according to its charter.
The portion of NIEM needed for a particular exchange.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Meaningless output occurring in electronic equipment; it is random electronic variation that is generated by and intrinsic to the electronic circuitry. It ultimately establishes the smallest analytical signal that can be quantitatively measured with confidence. A part of a signal that is not the target signal.
High frequency signals caused by the instrument electronics, vibrations, and environmental factors.This is often determined by measuring a flat surface (e.g., mirror) which establishes the minimumfeature height (z) that the instrument is capable of measuring. Also known as Noise Floor.
a part of a signal that is not the target signal.
Discussion—In audio, image, and video signals, sources of noise can include film grain, electronic variations in the input device sensor and circuitry, and stray electromagnetic fields in the signal pathway.
The mixed arrangement of tread block sizes used by the tire industry to reduce noise generated by tires.
Rounded or approximate value of a characterizing quantity of a measuring instrument or measuring system that provides guidance for its appropriate use. (Source: JCGM 200)
rounded or approximate value of a characterizing quantity of a measuring instrument or measuring system that provides guidance for its appropriate usei
i: Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM), International vocabulary of metrology - Basic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM) (Sèvres, France: International Bureau of Weights and Measures [BIPM]- JCGM 200) available from: https://www.bipm.org/en/publications/guides.
The number of pixels per unit distance (ppmm or ppi) of the image. The nominalresolution may be the same as the scanning resolution for a particular image. On theother hand, the nominal resolution may be less than the scanning resolution if the scannedimage was subsampled, scaled, or interpolated down.
the number of horizontal and vertical pixels an imaging system or sensor is capable of capturing.
A pathway laid by a human subject whose scent is not associated with the scent on the article presented to the canine, or the absence of an associated scent pathway