What does scatologist mean?
A scatologist is a specialist who studies feces, also called excrement or droppings. By examining its physical characteristics, microscopic contents, chemical composition, and associated biological evidence, a scatologist may help identify an organism’s diet, health, movement, or identity. Scatologists work in fields including forensic science, medicine, veterinary research, wildlife biology, and archaeology. The term is uncommon in general conversation, though it is occasionally used as a joke because it directly concerns something ordinarily treated as unpleasant. In professional contexts, scatology is the study of feces, and the term is usually reserved for a person with specialist scientific knowledge. The word is related to the Greek skatos, meaning dung, and the suffix -logist, denoting a specialist in a field of study.
nounA specialist who studies human or animal feces, often to identify health conditions, dietary patterns, or other biological information.
- A person who professionally studies feces.
"The forensic scatologist examined the samples for traces of the missing food."
"Wildlife biologists consulted a scatologist to analyze the animal droppings."
"The case was referred to a scatologist for specialist analysis."
Used when referring to more than one specialist who studies feces.
"The two scatologists independently analyzed the samples."
A scatologist turns feces into evidence: its texture, odor, and contents can reveal what an organism ate and how it has been doing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scatologist come from?
Scatologist was formed from scatology, which combines the Greek skatos, meaning dung or feces, with the scientific suffix -logy, meaning the study of. The suffix -logist was then added to denote a specialist who practices that study. The word belongs to a family of scientific terminology concerned with the examination of bodily waste.
Related word forms
How scatologist is actually used
This is a technical term used mainly in forensic, medical, veterinary, and wildlife studies. Outside specialist contexts, it may be used humorously because of its association with feces.