forensic

Adjective

forensic (not comparable)

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 misdirected, and his conviction largely achieved on individual testimony with no...2012 August 21, Ed Pilkington, “Death penalty on trial: should Reggie Clemons live or die?”, in The Guardian
2. (dated) 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. (informal) Precise, thorough, or highly meticulous, by analogy with a scientific legal investigation.
   • A forensic account of history
   • With forensic precision
4. Relating to forms of disability associated with criminal risk.
   • a forensic learning disability
   • patients with forensic needs
5. (archaic) Relating to, or used in, debate or argument.

   Synonyms:

   rhetorical