I. fə-ˈren(t)-sik, -ˈren-zik adjective
Etymology: Latin forensis public, forensic, from forum forum
Date: 1659
1. : belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate
2. : argumentative , rhetorical
3. : relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems
forensic medicine
forensic science
forensic pathologist
forensic experts
• fo·ren·si·cal·ly -si-k(ə-)lē, -zi- adverb
II. noun
Date: 1814
1. : an argumentative exercise
2. plural but singular or plural in construction : the art or study of argumentative discourse
3. plural but singular or plural in construction : the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems ; especially : scientific analysis of physical evidence (as from a crime scene)