Artificial intelligence applications in forensic science and their implications for education and training

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly relevant to forensic practice and has potential applications in forensic education, including evidence interpretation, simulation-based learning, and decision-making. Then, evidence regarding its educational implementation remains fragmented, with limited consensus on pedagogical frameworks and competency development. Methodology A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies published between 2020 and 2025 were identified through Scopus, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore. Eligible studies for the primary synthesis were required to include an identifiable forensic educational or training context, an AI-supported educational intervention, or a measured educational/training outcome. Technical studies of AI applications in forensic practice were analyzed separately to identify emerging competency and curriculum requirements. Results Only a limited subset of the retrieved literature directly examined AI within an educational or training context. The available educational evidence addressed areas such as learner skill development, professional training needs, and AI-supported learning activities, but remained heterogeneous and methodologically limited. In contrast, a much larger body of technical forensic AI research demonstrated rapid advances in image analysis, classification, digital forensics, and decision support. These developments identify emerging educational requirements in algorithmic literacy, validation, explainability, bias assessment, data governance, and human oversight. Discussion Current evidence indicates that AI should complement rather than replace human expertise. Effective implementation requires competency-based curricula integrating computational literacy, ethical reasoning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and experiential learning supported by explainable AI. Conclusion Direct empirical evidence supporting AI-enhanced forensic education remains limited. This scarcity represents an important evidence gap. Rapid technical advances nevertheless provide a strong rationale for developing and prospectively evaluating competency-based AI education in forensic curricula.