検証

This term describes a rigorous process of proving the truth or validity of something based on objective evidence, logic, or physical inspection. It is a formal word and is rarely used in casual, everyday conversations where simpler words like 確かめる(tashikameru) or チェックする(chekku suru) would be more natural.

There are two primary contexts for its use. First, in academic, scientific, or technical fields, it refers to the logical verification of a hypothesis or the testing of a system to ensure it meets specifications. Second, in legal or criminal contexts, it refers to a physical inspection of a crime scene (現場検証) to see if the evidence matches the testimony or the theory of the crime.

Compared to 確認(kakunin), which simply means "confirming" or "checking" a fact, 検証(kenshō) implies a much more systematic, analytical, and critical approach to reach a conclusion. Using 検証 for a simple task like checking if the door is locked would sound unnaturally stiff and overly academic.