forensic

American  

[fuh-ren-sik, -zik] / fəˈrɛn sɪk, -zɪk /

adjective

1. relating to, connected with, or used in courts of law, especially with reference to the scientific analysis of evidence.

   The defense called a professional witness with credentials in forensic toxicology.

2. relating, adapted, or suited to argumentation or to public discussion and debate; rhetorical.

   The Athenians were famous for their forensic eloquence in the public forum.

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noun

1. forensics.

forensic British  

/ fəˈrɛnsɪk, fəˌrɛnsɪˈkælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. relating to, used in, or connected with a court of law

   forensic science

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Other Word Forms

• forensicality
  noun
• nonforensic
  adjective
• unforensic
  adjective
• forensically
  adverb
• nonforensically
  adverb
• unforensically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of forensic

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin forēns(is) “public,” literally, “of the forum” (from for(um) forum + -ēnsis -ensis ) + -ic ( def. )

Explanation

The adjective forensic describes scientific methods used to investigate crimes. If you're looking for forensic evidence, you're using your scientific know-how to find proof that will help solve crimes. The adjective forensic comes from the Latin word forensis, meaning “in open court” or “public.” When you describe something as forensic you usually mean that has to do with finding evidence to solve a crime. It could also mean that it has to do with the courts or legal system. You could have a forensic advantage — meaning an advantage in court — if the forensic team — meaning the investigators — found no forensic evidence of you being involved.

Example Sentences

At the other, forensic specialists use dental records to help identify victims whose bodies have become difficult to recognise.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

"The suspect is a child. The vehicle has been taken for forensic examination to determine the cause," he said.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

At a makeshift morgue in the quake-hit Venezuelan port of La Guaira, forensic experts in blue gowns and caps picked their way through dozens of bodies laid out in bags under the sun.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

The Mormon Will, however, received the most thorough scrutiny, enduring a seven-month jury trial and dueling testimonies by forensic experts until it was eventually declared a forgery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

In hundreds of other cases, falsely accused women never received the forensic help they needed to avoid wrongful convictions.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson