forensic medicine
Forensic medicine refers to the application of medical knowledge and principles to legal disputes. Also known as medical jurisprudence, forensic medicine involves using medical science to assist courts, investigators, and other authorities in determining facts relevant to civil or criminal matters.
Forensic medicine commonly arises in criminal cases, where physicians or medical examiners evaluate injuries, determine causes and times of death, assess evidence of trauma or poisoning, or conduct autopsies. Medical findings may be used to establish elements of a crime, identify victims, or clarify whether a death was accidental, natural, or the result of criminal conduct.
Forensic medicine also plays a role in civil litigation. Medical experts may evaluate the nature and extent of physical injuries, assess claims of medical malpractice, determine competency, or provide expert testimony regarding standards of care. Because forensic medicine often involves expert testimony, its use in court is subject to evidentiary standards governing the admissibility and reliability of scientific evidence.
[Last reviewed in February of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
Wex