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.
A cotton swab or similar collection substrate; used in a relatively non-invasive sample collection technique for scraping the inside of a mouth to collect cells from the inner cheek lining; this is a common method for collecting and preserving samples for DNA testing from known individuals.
A training or certification exercise that is conducted on the interior or exterior of a building or structure.
A training or certification exercise that is conducted on the interior of a building or structure.
See Heat Release Rate (HRR)
Form C-216C is a fingerprint form used in Canada to have background record checksperformed. See https://reliabilityscreening.ca/downloads/RCMP_GRC_C216C_Form.pdf[
A dead human body or the physical remains of a dead human body at one location. Note that this use of the word is different from that often used in law enforcement, which describes the body at a scene where it was found as a corpse, and only as a cadaver once it is under a coroner's or medical examiner's examination.
The measured “stature” of a body after death.
A fire effect realized in gypsum products, including wallboard, as a result of exposure to heat that drives off free and chemically bound water.
operation that, under specified conditions, in a first step, establishes a relation between the quantity values with measurement uncertainties provided by measurement standards and corresponding indications with associated measurement uncertainties and, in a second step, uses this information to establish a relation for obtaining a measurement result from an indication.d
d: 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.
Operation that, under specified conditions, establishes a relation between the quantity value and corresponding indications.
Operation that, under specified conditions, establishes a relationship between the quantity value and corresponding indications
The mathematical model that demonstrates the relationship between the concentration of analyte and the corresponding instrument response
Measurement standard used in calibration.
measurement standard used in calibratione
e: ISO Guide 30:2015
Measurement standard used in calibration
The amount of heat necessary to raise 1 gram of water 1C at the pressure of 1 atmosphere and temperature of 15C; a calorie is 4.184 joules, and there are 252.15 calories in a British thermal unit (Btu).
Applicant who has fulfilled specified prerequisites and has been admitted to the certification process.
A dog, Canis familiaris, more commonly used to denote a working dog and sometimes abbreviated as K-9.
A dog, Canis familiaris, more commonly used to denote a working dog and sometimes abbreviated as K-9.
A dog, Canis familiaris, more commonly used to denote a working dog and sometimes abbreviated as K-9.
A person who has successfully completed a recognized course of canine handling in a specific discipline and maintains those abilities through field applications, maintenance training, certification, recertification and agency or program required continuing canine education.
A person who has successfully completed a recognized course of canine handling in a specific discipline and maintains those abilities through: field applications; maintenance training; certification; recertification; and department, agency, or organization required continuing canine education.
A person who has successfully completed a recognized course of canine handling in a specific discipline and maintains those abilities through field applications, maintenance training, certification, recertification and department, agency or organization required continuing canine education.
A person who has successfully completed a recognized course of canine handling in a specific discipline and maintains those abilities through field applications, maintenance training, certification, recertification and agency or program required continuing canine education.
A person who has successfully completed a recognized course of canine handling in a specific discipline and maintains those abilities through field applications, maintenance training, certification, recertification and agency or program required continuing canine education.
A person who has successfully completed a recognized course of canine handling in a specific discipline and maintains those abilities through field applications, maintenance training, certification, recertification and agency or program required continuing canine education.
Any action or cue by the handler that causes the canine team to perform incorrectly.
Any action or cue by the handler that causes the canine team to perform incorrectly.
Any action or cue by the handler that causes the canine team to perform incorrectly.
Any action or cue by the handler that causes the canine team to perform incorrectly.
Any action or cue by the handler that causes the canine team to perform incorrectly.
An individual with relevant training and experience to assess trained or minimally trained dogs based on standards specified in a contract/statement of work for purchase, while showing no bias or partiality. Experience in canine behavior observation, canine behavioral measurement, and knowledge of procurement requirements should be demonstrated by a person working in this role.
The dog's situational appropriate comfort and interaction with other dogs.
The dog's situational appropriate comfort level and interaction with people.
A human and working canine that train and work together as an operational unit.
The documentation of an evaluation conducted during training.
The documentation of an evaluation conducted during training.
A person providing training/instruction who has demonstrated, through education, training and operational experience, extensive skill and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction. (See instructor.)
A person providing training/instruction who has demonstrated, through education, training and operational experience, extensive skill and knowledge in the subject field or discipline. This person would normally perform the maintenance training and proficiency training in the field and may train canines in preparation for a formal course of instruction.
A canine-handler team is a human and working dog who train and work together as an operational unit. [SC1, 2011]