The word forensics means specializing in or having to do with the application of scientific knowledge to legal matters; the application of science to law. This word has been misused and misapplied to the working dog. The new terminology, forensic canine, has been created and defined as a canine that is exclusively trained in the detection of human remains. This is not an accurate use of the word forensic.

If we were to look at the forensic applications of working dogs, not only would cadaver dogs be included but also explosive detection dogs, accelerant detection dogs, and evidence detection dogs. Each of these specialties is a forensic dog science. In human forensic sciences, you have forensic medicine, forensic psychology, forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic document examiners, forensic dentists, forensic accounting, and even forensic knot analysis. The doctors or examiners provide the needed testimony in order to apply their scientific knowledge to the law by defending and explaining their diagnosis or conclusions in a courtroom.  Forensic does not mean human remains. Forensic means the application of science to law.