Forensic science uses a range of sciences to answer questions related to legal situations.

Forensic science is often used in relation to criminal matters, a lawyer may want to prove someone was present at the location of a crime for example.

Samples from a crime scene are analyzed in a laboratory by specialists.

Samples can include things like fingerprints, hair and gunshot residue.

While some forensic tests can be completed in as little as an hour, others may take months. There are a large range of specialist fields in forensics including forensic pathology, forensic toxicology, forensic anthropology, forensic chemistry, DNA analysis, forensic entomology, computational forensics and more.

In the case of forensic entomology, scientists examine insects found in and around human remains to determine the time of death.

Forensic toxicology studies the effect of drugs and poisons on the human body in relation to medical and legal situations.

The famous fictional character Sherlock Holmes used forensic science as one of his methods for investigating crimes.

Examples of forensic science can be found throughout popular culture, including television shows such as CSI, Bones, NCIS, Law & Order and the Mentalist, which all use forensic science as part of their story lines.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has been particularly popular, leading to a number of spin off shows, books and video games. It has even created a so called 'CSI effect' where members of the public have exaggerated expectations of forensic science due to their use on television shows.