Forensic nursing

Forensic nursing is a nursing specialty which involves caring for victims and perpetrators of crime while attempting to collect forensic evidence on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Professionals who work in this specialty include clinical forensic nurses.

History

Forensic nursing developed in response to concerns in the 1980s regarding the treatment of patients suffering from crime-related injuries and the proper handling of evidence. Globally, the development of general clinical forensic medicine and the forensic nursing have progressed at different speeds, with one preceding the other on a country-by-country basis. Founded in 1992, the International Association of Forensic Nurses is the primary professional association for forensic nursing, which as of 2011 included 2,000 members in 11 countries.[1]

Role and responsibilities

Forensic nursing combines nursing practice and forensics in the scientific investigation of death and injury resulting from criminal activity and accidents. In addition to providing care, forensic nurses act as multidisciplinary team members with and consultants to other nursing and medical professionals and law enforcement. They receive advanced training in collecting and preserving evidence, treatment protocols, and legal proceedings and testimony.[1]

The specialized training that forensic nurses receive related to both the medical and legal needs of these patients drives demand for the specialty. Crime victims face a higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicide, and medical complications than other patients; forensic nurses improve both legal outcomes and quality of life for these patients relative to standard Emergency Department care.[2] Forensic nurses also assist in providing professional insight to potential causes of patient injuries in situations in which witnesses are unavailable.[3]

Prior to beginning an exam, forensic nurses must receive consent from the patient. In addition to documenting obvious injuries, forensic nurses specialize in looking for subtle signs of assault, such as petechiae, voice changes, and loss of bowel or bladder function.[2] Forensic nurses document patient injuries through tools including cameras, measuring tapes, fluid swabs, rape kits, and a high-powered light that can reveal hard-to-see bruises and fluids like semen, urine, or saliva. They document every injury for potential use as evidence in a later court case, where they may be called as an expert witness to testify to the injuries.[4]

Forensic nurses are also responsible for educating a patient on his or her rights. In the United States, for example, patients are not required to pursue legal action to receive a medical exam, and it is the forensic nurse's responsibility to discuss this with each patient.[2]

Professions

Forensic nursing includes roles such as:[1]

Certification

As of 2015, the International Association of Forensic Nurses offers two professional certifications under its Forensic Nursing Certification Board (FNCB) for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners: the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A) and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Pediatric (SANE-P).[5]

Worldwide

United States

Virginia Lynch, an early advocate of forensic nursing, proposed creation of the forensic nursing specialty in 1986 and helped establish the first graduate studies program at the University of Texas at Arlington's School of Nursing. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences recognized the forensic nursing specialty in 1991 and the American Nurses Association followed in 1995.

Great Britain

In Great Britain, forensic nursing includes a forensic psychiatric nursing sub-specialty, which emphasizes practicing forensic nursing for mental health patients.[6]

Canada

As of June 2015, forensic nursing is not recognized as a nursing specialty in Canada and does not have a PhD program.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hammer, Rita; Moynihan, Barbara; Pagliano, Elaine (2011-06-05). Forensic Nursing: a Handbook for Practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  2. 1 2 3 Esposito, Lisa (2014-08-07). "How Forensic Nurses Help Assault Survivors". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  3. ↑ Blanchard, Bobby (2015-03-10). "A&M Hopes to Add Department of Forensic Nursing". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  4. ↑ Carson, Ilona (2015-05-12). "Demand for forensic nurses on the rise in Houston". ABC 13 Eyewitness News. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  5. ↑ "Certification Opportunities". International Association of Forensic Nurses. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  6. ↑ Mason, T.; Lovell, A.; Coyle, D. (2008). "Forensic psychiatric nursing: skills and competencies: I role dimensions" (PDF). Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 15: 118–130. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  7. ↑ Zytaruk, Tom (2015-06-04). "FORENSIC NURSES: 'We can't change their lives but we can help.'". Surrey Now. Retrieved 2015-08-15.

External links

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