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
• forensically adverb
• nonforensic adjective
• nonforensically adverb
• unforensic adjective
• 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. )

Example Sentences

Two weeks into their review, the team—Concannon, alongside younger students Jenna Lewis, Preston Schroeder, Natalia Montoya, and Samantha Underwood—gathered around a table in the forensic lab to share their findings and discuss theories.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Before she became an educator at UT–Arlington, she spent decades as a forensic analyst working high-profile cases such as the Branch Davidian siege in Waco.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Social media is rife with fabricated satellite imagery, heatmaps and other pseudo forensic visuals used to cast doubt on genuine evidence from the war, researchers say.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

A leading forensic genetics expert, who has analysed all the family's tests, told us it is unlikely that either child is biologically related to donor Finn.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

“Because I’m going to be a detective when I grow up,” he’d say, “I need to know forensic science and TV detectives.”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein