Legal Definitions - forensis

Forensis is an adjective used to describe anything that pertains to, is suitable for, or is presented in a court of law or a public forum for debate.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of the term:

• When a police department sends a piece of evidence, like a blood sample or a weapon, to a laboratory for analysis, the results obtained are considered forensic evidence. This is because the analysis is conducted specifically to generate findings that can be presented and used within a court of law to help prove or disprove facts relevant to a criminal or civil case.

• A doctor who specializes in examining deceased individuals to determine the cause of death for legal purposes is known as a forensic pathologist. Their work is "forensis" because their medical expertise is applied directly to answer questions that are crucial for legal investigations and court proceedings, such as whether a death was accidental, natural, or the result of foul play.

• In a complex financial fraud case, a company might hire an accountant to meticulously review financial records, trace transactions, and identify discrepancies with the specific goal of preparing a report for litigation. This process is often referred to as a forensic audit, as its entire purpose is to gather and present financial information in a manner suitable for use as evidence in a court of law.