The term "forensic" was added to the English language in the 1650s, originally meaning "pertaining to or suitable for courts of law," derived from the Latin word "forensis," meaning "of a forum, place of assembly" where judicial processes were held. The specific use of the term "forensic medicine" came later in 1845, indicating its association with legal trials and the application of science to legal questions.

The modern use of the term "forensics" often refers to "forensic science," which involves the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems, especially in crime solving. This contemporary meaning has become closely associated with scientific fields involving the analysis of physical evidence.