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.
crystals with imperfectly developed faces.
The person to whom the transaction applies. The subject of a record need not be thesubject of the transaction.
The placement of a document(s) into a liquid to facilitate cleaning, unfolding, or separation of the document(s).
The placement of a document(s) into a liquid to facilitate cleaning, unfolding, or separation of the document(s).
Willingness of the canine to yield to or cede control to a handler, another person or animal.
An order of the court for a witness to appear at a particular time and place to testify and/or produce documents in the control of the witness.
Recognition and response to trained target odor.
Surface upon which a friction ridge impression is deposited.
Death resulting from a volitional, self-inflicted act.
Consists of a determination reached during the analysis phase after considering the quality, quantity, and specificity of features observed; to include class characteristics, characteristics of use, and limiting factors in an unknown impression in order to proceed with the examination process.
The usefulness of an impression for a further step in the examination process, such as comparison or Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) entry.
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to the next step in the examination process.
(synonym of utility for Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) searches) A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to an ABIS database search. NOTE This designation is often referred to as “suitable for ABIS/AFIS” or “of value for ABIS/AFIS.”
A decision made by an examiner in accordance with FSP policy and/or procedure as to whether or not an impression will proceed to an ABIS database search.
NOTE This designation is often referred to as “suitable for ABIS/AFIS” or “of value for ABIS/AFIS.”
The usefulness of an impression for a further step in the examination process, such as comparison or Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) entry.
The usefulness of an impression for a further step in the examination process, such as comparison or Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) entry.
Data deemed appropriate for interpretation/comparison (see 3.1 and 3.5) based on developmental validation studies, the laboratory’s internal validation studies, and the laboratory’s documented and verified interpretation and comparison protocol.
A reinforced modified sulfur material, available in flake form that is a safer, stronger alternative to using pure sulfur in casting snow impressions.
A report used to document additional work performed with subsequent reporting of results
A report used to document additional work performed with subsequent reporting of results.
Attestation by the product supplier that a product supplied is in conformity with specified requirements.
The placement of human remains on the surface of the ground.
Profile that results from the intersection of the real surface by a specified plane.
Devices or tissues that are surgically placed.
The subconscious impulse for the dog to defend itself from real or imagined danger.
The analysis of specimens from living subjects to determine the presence or absence of toxic substances.
Temporary invalidation of the statement of conformity for all or part of the specified scope of attestation.
Scientific Working Group for Forensic and Investigatory Voice.
SWGDE provides this Glossary of Terms with general, as well as discipline specific, definitions as they apply across the spectrum of image analysis, computer forensics, video analysis, and forensic audio. Sources are notated within brackets at the end of the definition when that definition came from outside of SWGDE. The following abbreviations will be used throughout this glossary and appear before the definition as applicable:
( i ) Image Analysis
( c ) Computer Forensics
( v ) Video Analysis
( a ) Forensic Audio
( p ) Photography
( q ) Quality & Standards
*This list is a duplication of the terms provided in the published document ‘SWGDE Digital & Multimedia Evidence Glossary,’ which can be downloaded from the Documents menu. However please note, this page is updated before the document is, therefore the most up to date version will appear here first.
Scientific Working Group for Disaster Victim Identification
Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study, and Technology.
Conformance to the relationships between fields, subfields, or information items within atransaction to other values within the same transaction as specified in this standard.