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.
Nutrition Maintenance
Nutrients provided to keep body condition at a healthy level in an adult canine without providing additional nutrients for growth, reproduction or weight gain, will vary with level of activity.
Obedience Training
The training of an animal, especially a canine, to obey certain commands.
Obedience Training
The training of an animal, especially a canine, to obey certain commands.
objection
A lawyer's protest about the legal propriety of a question, response, or other evidence made with the purpose of obtaining a ruling from the trial judge about whether the question can be asked, the answer can be given, or the evidence can be admitted.
Objective-Oriented Training
Training to enhance a canine team's proficiency using specific goals established prior to the initiation of the training.
Objective-Oriented Training
Training to enhance a canine team's proficiency using specific goals established prior to the initiation of the training.
objectives
Oblique Lighting
Oblique Lighting
Illumination from a light source that is at a low angle of incidence, or even parallel, to the surface ofthe item. (Also known as side lighting.)
Observation
OSAC Preferred
DEPRECATED: finding
result of analysis (3.2) of items (3.33) or of the scene (3.58)
Note 1 to entry: An observation can be the result of human perception-based analysis, instrumental analysis, or a combination of the two.
Numbers in the parenthesis refers to additional terms in the standard.
Observed casework
observed data
Any information seen within an impression that an examiner relies upon to reach a decision, conclusion, or opinion. This not only includes minutiae, but attributes such as clarity, scars, creases, edge shapes, pore structure, and other friction ridge features.
observed data
Any information seen within an impression that an examiner may rely upon to reach a decision, conclusion, or opinion. This not only includes minutiae, but attributes such as clarity, scars, creases, edge shapes, pore structure, and other friction ridge features.
observed data
Any information seen within an impression that an examiner relies upon to reach a decision, conclusion, or opinion. This not only includes minutiae, but attributes such as clarity, scars, creases, edge shapes, pore structure, and other friction ridge features.
observed data
Any information seen within an impression that an examiner relies upon to reach a decision, conclusion, or opinion. This not only includes minutiae, but attributes such as clarity, scars, creases, edge shapes, pore structure, and other friction ridge features.
observed data
Any information seen within an impression that an examiner relies upon to reach a decision, conclusion, or opinion. This not only includes minutiae, but attributes such as clarity, scars, creases, edge shapes, pore structure, and other friction ridge features.
Occlusion
Odontogram
A chart graphically illustrating the condition of the dentition, including but not limited to, missing teeth, restorations, and tooth orientation.
Odontology
Forensic dentistry a specialized discipline in dentistry to identify individuals basedupon characteristics of their dentition and oral region.
Odor
Volatile chemicals emitted from a substance that are able to be perceived by olfaction. 'Odor' has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance. 'Scent' has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans. (See scent.)
Odor
Volatile chemicals emitted from a substance that are able to be perceived by olfaction. 'Odor' has traditionally referred to canine detection of a substance. 'Scent' has traditionally referred to canine detection of humans.
Odor
Volatile chemicals emitted from a substance that are able to be perceived by olfaction.
Odor Dispersion
Environmental conditions/factors/influences affecting the movement of odor. (See odor plume.)
Odor Plume
Dispersion of odor in a given environment. (See odor dispersion.)
Odor Recognition
Demonstration of the canine's olfactory ability to alert to a target odor(s).
Odor Recognition Assessment
A test of the canine's olfactory ability to alert to target odor(s) in a controlled environment.
Odor Recognition Assessment
A test of the canine's olfactory ability to alert to target odor(s) in a controlled environment.
Odor Signature
The chemical profile of an odor produced by a substance.
Odor/Scent Pool
Area of concentrated target odor/scent.
Odor/Scent Recognition Assessment
A test of the canine's ability to alert to target odor(s)/scent(s) in a controlled environment.
Odorant
Molecules that are properties of the external world objectively defined in terms of their physical and chemical characteristics and capable of being transposed by particular nervous systems into odors.
Off-Lead
Any work or interactions with the canine where the canine is not attached to a lead.
Off-Lead
Any work or interactions with the canine where the canine is not attached to a lead.
Offensive Aggression
Behaviors indicating that the dog will attack unless the stimulus eliciting the behavior withdraws (typically characterized by rigid, forward and upward body language and threatening postures intended to make the dog look larger).
Offset
Ohm
The SI unit of electrical impedance or, in the direct current case, electrical resistance.
Olfaction Olfactory
Of, relating to, or connected with the sense of smell.
Olfaction Olfactory
Of, relating to, or connected with the sense of smell.
omega (ω)
any vibration direction in the plane of the a axis for uniaxial crystals.
On-Lead
Any work or interactions with the canine where the canine is attached to a lead.
On-Lead
Any work or interactions with the canine where the canine is attached to a lead.
Ongoing Performance Checks
Procedures performed to verify that the technology or technical procedure is working as expected.
open (non-blind) verification
A type of verification in which the subsequent examiner knows the identity of the other examiner(s) and has access to their decisions, conclusions or observed data used to support their conclusion.
Open Area
A designated search area for the purpose of conducting canine team exercises.
Open Pour Molding
open testing
Footwear and tire examiners are aware they are being tested.
Open Water Search
Utilizing a canine in a boat to locate the odor of human decomposition in a body of water.
Operant Conditioning
When used in training, operant conditioning involves teaching an animal to perform a response in order to obtain a reward or avoid displeasure.
Operating System
System software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.