From Latin forēnsis 'of the forum,' where Roman trials were held, later extended to scientific crime investigation.
Relating to or denoting the application of scientific methods to the investigation of crime, or relating to courts of law.
From Latin forēnsis 'of or before the forum,' from forum 'public place, marketplace, court.' In Rome, the forum was where public trials were held, so forēnsis meant 'pertaining to legal proceedings.' The modern scientific-investigation sense emerged in the 19th century. Key