forensic
forensic — adjective
1. relating to the use of scientific techniques to examine physical evidence from a
relating to the use of scientific techniques to examine physical evidence from a crime and help solve it.
The forensic team collected DNA samples from the victim's clothing at the scene.
forensic team — group of experts who examine crime evidence
Mathieu studied forensic science at the university for three years.
A forensic examination of the document revealed hidden fingerprints.
The detective sent the bullet to the forensic lab for ballistics testing.
Forensic experts identified the substance as a rare poison used in the region.
- criminalistic
narrower term specific to crime-scene physical evidence analysis; less common in general use
- scientific
broader; covers all science, not just legal applications
文法句型
forensic + noun (evidence, analysis, lab, expert)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun. The noun it modifies typically relates to crime investigation, laboratory analysis, or evidence examination. The related noun 'forensics' refers to the field itself.
常見錯誤
2. concerning the use of expert knowledge from a particular field — such as medicin
concerning the use of expert knowledge from a particular field — such as medicine, accounting, or computing — to answer legal questions or settle court cases.
The lawyer hired a forensic accountant to examine the company's financial records.
forensic accountant — expert who investigates financial records for legal cases
Forensic linguistics helped the court determine who wrote the anonymous letter.
A forensic psychiatrist evaluated the defendant's mental state before the trial.
The university now offers a degree in forensic computing and digital investigation.
Brandon testified as a forensic engineer, explaining why the bridge had collapsed.
- legal-scientific
a compound term sometimes used but less standard; describes the same concept
- expert
broader; lacks the specific legal-context connection that 'forensic' carries
文法句型
forensic + field-specific noun (accountant, psychiatrist, linguist)
用法筆記
Always used before a noun. The modified noun is typically a profession or field combined with legal work (accountant, psychiatrist, linguist, engineer, computing). Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 focuses on crime-scene evidence, while sense 2 covers any scientific/technical expertise applied to legal matters.
常見錯誤
3. connected with formal argument, public debate, or the procedures and settings of
connected with formal argument, public debate, or the procedures and settings of a court of law, especially from a rhetorical or historical perspective.
The professor published a paper on forensic rhetoric in ancient Greek courts.
forensic rhetoric — the art of persuasive argument in legal settings
Her forensic skills in argument made her the most respected lawyer in the firm.
The debate team studied classical forensic techniques used by Roman orators.
His speech followed a traditional forensic structure of accusation and defence.
- rhetorical
broader; covers all persuasive speaking, not only courtroom or debate settings
- argumentative
focuses on the act of arguing itself; less tied to the formal structures of law and debate
文法句型
forensic + noun (rhetoric, argument, skill, oratory)
用法筆記
Primarily found in academic discussions of classical rhetoric, oratory, and legal theory. In modern everyday language this sense is rare; most speakers encounter 'forensic' in senses 1 or 2.
forensic — noun
1. a formal exercise or assignment in which participants argue for or against a par
a formal exercise or assignment in which participants argue for or against a particular position, especially as a classroom or academic activity.
The students prepared a forensic on the morality of capital punishment.
prepared a forensic on [topic] — formal argument exercise
Each member of the debating society presented a forensic defending their position.
Asher wrote a forensic arguing that the new policy would harm small businesses.
The professor assigned a forensic on the ethics of artificial intelligence in medicine.
- debate
the modern, everyday term for a structured argument on a topic
- disputation
similar historical meaning; refers to formal academic debate
文法句型
a + forensic + (about/on) + topic
用法筆記
An archaic or highly specialised usage. In modern English, nearly all speakers use 'debate' or 'argument' instead. This sense is rarely encountered outside classical rhetoric studies or historical texts.
2. the academic field or discipline concerned with the principles and techniques of
the academic field or discipline concerned with the principles and techniques of persuasive argument, formal reasoning, and public address.
The study of forensic was considered essential in classical Greek education.
study of forensic — the academic discipline of argumentation
Ancient scholars divided rhetoric into three branches, one of which was forensic.
Modern students of forensic still study the techniques of Cicero and Demosthenes.
The textbook traces the history of forensic from Aristotle to the present day.
- rhetoric
broader field covering all persuasive communication, not just legal argumentation
- argumentation
focuses on the logical structure of arguments without the historical/rhetorical framework
文法句型
the study of + forensic
forensic + verb
用法筆記
A technical term in the study of classical rhetoric, where 'forensic' (or 'judicial') oratory was historically contrasted with 'deliberative' (political) and 'epideictic' (ceremonial) oratory. Uncountable in this sense.
3. the practice of using scientific knowledge and methods to investigate and resolv
the practice of using scientific knowledge and methods to investigate and resolve legal questions, especially in criminal cases.
Modern forensic has transformed how courts evaluate physical evidence.
modern forensic — the field as a whole, uncountable
The field of forensic continues to expand as new technologies such as DNA profiling emerge.
Tanvi decided to specialise in forensic after completing her chemistry degree.
The conference brought together experts from every branch of forensic and legal medicine.
- criminalistics
a narrower technical term focused on physical evidence analysis
文法句型
forensic + verb
field of + forensic
用法筆記
Sometimes used interchangeably with the more common 'forensics' (with final -s) when referring to the field of study. Uncountable in this sense and typically paired with a determiner like 'modern' or 'the field of'.