ISO 21043-1:2025
(Main)Forensic sciences — Part 1: Vocabulary
Forensic sciences — Part 1: Vocabulary
This document defines terms used for the different components of the forensic process from scene to courtroom (as illustrated in Figure A.1).
Criminalistique — Partie 1: Vocabulaire
Le présent document définit les termes utilisés dans la série ISO 21043.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 21043-1
Second edition
Forensic sciences —
2025-06
Part 1:
Vocabulary
Criminalistique —
Partie 1: Vocabulaire
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
Annex A (informative) Forensic process . 9
Bibliography .10
iii
Foreword
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processes, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna
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iv
Introduction
This document standardizes the use and meaning of terms associated with the forensic sciences. The terms
defined in this document are drawn from standard terms used in the forensic science processes, as contained
in the ISO 21043 series. Discipline-specific standards include their own specific terms and definitions.
This document is part of a series of five that includes the different components of the forensic process from
scene to courtroom (as illustrated in Figure A.1). Other parts of the ISO 21043 series are:
— ISO 21043-2;
— ISO 21043-3;
— ISO 21043-4;
— ISO 21043-5.
This document is organized alphabetically and follows natural (English) word order wherever possible.
v
International Standard ISO 21043-1:2025(en)
Forensic sciences —
Part 1:
Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document defines terms used for the different components of the forensic process from scene to
courtroom (as illustrated in Figure A.1).
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
administrative review
evaluation of records (3.49) to verify consistency with the forensic service provider’s (3.26) administrative
policies and with editorial correctness
3.2
analysis
part of the examination (3.18) consisting of detecting, measuring or comparing the properties of items (3.33),
in order to obtain observations (3.36)
Note 1 to entry: Analysis can be either instrumental, human perception-based, or a combination of the two.
3.3
analytical strategy
choice of method(s) (3.35) and the sequence of analysis (3.2)
Note 1 to entry: An analytical strategy is based in part on relevant case questions and background information.
3.4
area of expertise
discipline in which an examiner (3.20) is competent
3.5
case file
forensic service provider’s (3.26)records (3.49) detailing the forensic process (3.25) including reports (3.55)
related to a case
3.6
categorical opinion
opinion (3.37) that, in the examiner’s (3.20) judgement, one proposition (3.43) or explanation (3.21) is true and
it would be impossible to obtain the observations (3.36) if any of the alternative propositions or explanations
considered were true
EXAMPLE 1 In the examiner’s judgement, the shoe did not make the questioned shoemark.
EXAMPLE 2 In the examiner’s judgement, the cartridge case is of Smith and Wesson brand.
3.7
chain of custody
chronological record (3.49) of the transfer, handling and storage of an item (3.33) from its point of collection
to its final return or disposal
Note 1 to entry: Chain of custody is sometimes referred to as continuity.
3.8
classification
assigning an item (3.33) to one of a number of distinct predefined groups based on shared properties
Note 1 to entry: If classes are defined directly by observations (3.36) that do not require interpretation (3.30),
classification can be performed independent of the examiner (3.20).
3.9
cognitive bias
unconscious deviation from rationality in human judgement caused by influences on, and limitations of,
human information processing
3.10
consumable
single use or limited use material which is used in the forensic process (3.25)
3.11
contamination
introduction, at any point in the forensic process (3.25), of unwanted substances, unwanted data or unwanted
information that can impact observations (3.36) or opinions (3.37)
Note 1 to entry: Contamination includes undesirable transfer of a substance within an item (3.33) or between items.
3.12
control sample
material with known properties, analyzed in order to assess the reliability of observations (3.36)
3.13
customer
authority, organization or person requesting the forensic (3.24) services
3.14
document
information and the medium on which it is stored
EXAMPLE Specification, procedure (3.41), policy, method (3.35), instruction, form, drawing, record (3.49), report
(3.55), standard, flowchart.
Note 1 to entry: The medium can be paper, magnetic, electronic or optical computer disc, photograph, or combination
thereof.
Note 2 to entry: A set of documents, for example specifications and records, is frequently called “documentation”.
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.8.5, modified — "which it is contained" has been changed to "which it is stored"
in the definition, the EXAMPLE has been replaced and Note 3 to entry has been removed.]
3.15
document control
system used to ensure traceability and to establish, identify, approve, issue, maintain, distribute, use, amend,
revise, store, protect, secure, retrieve, retain and dispose of documents (3.14)
3.16
enhancement
process to reveal, intensify, magnify or clarify a property of an item (3.33)
3.17
evaluative interpretation
interpretation (3.30) guided by a set of relevant propositions (3.43) and aimed at generating likelihood ratios (3.34)
Note 1 to entry: Evaluative interpretation can be used in a judicial setting or in an investigation.
3.18
examination
part of the forensic process (3.25) consisting of the recovery (3.51) and analysis (3.2) of items (3.33), and the
interpretation (3.30) of observations (3.36) obtained from the analysis of items
Note 1 to entry: See Annex A for a flowchart of the forensic process.
3.19
examination strategy
choice of method(s) and sequence of methods (3.35) for the examination (3.18)
Note 1 to entry: An examination strategy is based in part on relevant case questions and background information.
Note 2 to entry: An examination strategy can be applied to the examination (3.18) of a scene (3.58), the examination of
items (3.33) or sequential multi-discipline examination of items.
3.20
examiner
individual who conducts any part of the forensic (3.24)examination (3.18)
3.21
explanation
possible cause for observations (3.36), generated in an investigative interpretation (3.32)
3.22
facility
physical environment used to protect the item (3.33) integrity, to conduct testing or to support any other
aspect of the forensic process (3.25)
EXAMPLE Building, designated area, tent, (mobile) office, (mobile) laboratory, vehicle.
3.23
first responder
first law enforcement personnel who arrive at a scene (3.58) and who are responsible for immediate action
3.24
forensic
related to methods (3.35), techniques and processes used for recovery (3.51), analysis (3.2), interpretation
(3.30) and reporting of observations (3.36) and opinions (3.37), which can be used for law enforcement
investigations or for legal proceedings
3.25
forensic process
set of interrelated or interacting forensic (3.24) activities
Note 1 to entry: The forensic process can include item (3.33) handling and control, examination (3.18) and reporting.
Note 2 to entry: See Annex A for a flowchart of the forensic process.
3.26
forensic service provider
organization that performs all or part of the forensic process (3.25)
Note 1 to entry: A forensic service provider can be a large or small organization, including an organization consisting
of a single examiner (3.20).
3.27
identification
assignment to the most specific class attainable
EXAMPLE Identifying a red substance as human blood, a white powder as cocaine or a fibre as cotton.
Note 1 to entry: The term identification is often used when referring to the classification (3.8) of a substance based on
its composition, structure or function.
Note 2 to entry: Identification is not defined as answering a question of source (3.46).
3.28
impartiality
objectivity, neutrality and fairness along with the reduction of the risk of bias
Note 1 to entry: It is important for impartiality that possible conflicts of interest are declared, resolved or do not exist.
3.29
interlaboratory comparison
evaluation of part or all of the forensic process (3.25) when applied to the same or similar items (3.33) and
conducted under the same or similar conditions by two or more forensic service providers (3.26)
Note 1 to entry: A proficiency test (3.42) is a type of interlaboratory comparison.
3.30
interpretation
part of the examination (3.18) that uses professional judgement, logic, expertise, and relevant data and
information and, if applicable, statistical models to infer the meaning of observations (3.36) so as to provide
opinions (3.37) with respect to questions asked
Note 1 to entry: See Annex A for a flowchart of the forensic process.
3.31
intralaboratory comparison
evaluation of part or all of the forensic process (3.25) when applied to the same or similar items (3.33) and
conducted under the same or similar conditions by two or more examiners (3.20) within the same forensic
service provider (3.26)
3.32
investigative interpretation
interpretation (3.30) guided by observations (3.36) made and aimed at genera
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