# forensic

/ˌfɔˈɹɛnsɪk/ (US) · /fəɹˈɛnsɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/forensic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. crime investigation

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to the use of science to solve crimes and find evidence for a court.

For teachers: relating to the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime.

- The police are waiting for the forensic report to identify the fingerprints.
- Forensic evidence gathered at the scene proved instrumental in securing a conviction despite the lack of eyewitness testimony.

Usage: Usually precedes the noun it modifies, such as 'forensic evidence' or 'forensic science'.

### 2. extremely detailed

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

very careful and detailed, like a scientific investigation.

For teachers: characterised by a very high level of detail and meticulousness; often used by analogy with legal investigations.

- The accountant did a forensic examination of the company's spending.
- The journalist's forensic analysis of the leaked documents revealed a pattern of corruption that had spanned several decades.

Teaching tip: This sense is a common figurative extension in business and journalism; it implies a level of scrutiny that leaves no detail unchecked.

### 3. legal or argumentative

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

relating to courts of law or formal debate.

For teachers: relating to, or suitable for, courts of law or public debate.

- The lawyer was famous for his forensic skills in the courtroom.
- The professor's forensic approach to the historical debate relied on a strict interpretation of the original statutes.

Usage: In modern English, this sense is largely superseded by 'legal' or 'rhetorical' except in specific academic contexts.

## Examples

- The police are waiting for the forensic report to identify the suspect.
- Forensic evidence found at the scene proved that the suspect was present during the robbery.
- The auditor conducted a forensic examination of the company's financial records, uncovering several discrepancies that had been overlooked for years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.