forensic

Adjective

1. Relating to the use of science and technology in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law.
   • forensic analysis; forensic examination; forensic evidence; forensic investigation; forensic pathologist
   • In this account of events, the cards were stacked against Clemons from the beginning. His appeal lawyers have argued that he was physically beaten into making a confession, the jury was wrongfully selected and...
   • Fire investigators […] and forensic chemists are combing through fire sites [the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing], interviewing witnesses, and following leads. - 1996 June 8, Bill Clinton, Weekly Presidential radio...
2. Relating to, or appropriate for, courts of law; suitable or adapted to legal argumentation.
   • Varus trusted implicitly […] to the interest which they affected to take in the forensic eloquence of their conquerors. - 1851, Edward Shepherd Creasy, “Chapter V”, in The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World:
   • Mr. Philips’ incredulous sniff was a triumph of forensic skill. - 1920, Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, London: Pan Books, published 1954, page 164:
3. Precise, thorough, or highly meticulous, by analogy with a scientific legal investigation.
   • A forensic account of history
   • With forensic precision
   • It [the judiciary] had been the forum before which the highest forensic discussions had been held, […] - 1885, Isaac N. Arnold, “Chapter VIII”, in The Life of Abraham Lincoln:
4. Relating to forms of disability associated with criminal risk.
   • a forensic learning disability
   • patients with forensic needs
5. Relating to, or used in, debate or argument.