法医学，一种利用科学手段处理、解决与司法体系利益相关问题的科学。其主要针对刑事及民事案件。此外与法律体系相关，司法科学更多强调与运用与事实、事件、物理标的物（例如罪案现场、尸体）相关的学术及科学方法论及理论。关于一些在司法体系外的事物鉴定，往往也与此领域相关。

在古罗马时期，一个罪犯通常在要法庭上面对一群公民个体进行陈述。罪犯和逮捕方都要根据各自立场去进行辩护或陈述。其个人言辞和表达往往决定案件的结果。这一远离导致了“forensis”这一词的广泛运用——一种司法证据形式和一类公共陈述。在现在，司法科学更多是指表达科学领域的工具学运用，而非仅仅是关于法庭的学术。

Forensic science is the application of science to criminal and civil laws. Forensic scientists collect, preserve, and analyse scientific evidence during the course of an investigation. While some forensic scientists travel to the scene to collect the evidence themselves, others occupy a purely laboratory role, performing analysis on objects brought to them by other individuals. In addition to their laboratory role, forensic scientists testify as expert witnesses in both criminal and civil cases and can work for either the prosecution or the defense. While any field could technically be forensic, certain sections have developed over time to encompass the majority of forensically related cases.