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Forensic Nurse

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What is a Forensic Nurse?

Forensic Nurses (FNs) are nurses that specialize in the cross-over area of medical and legal/ law enforcements needs of medical clients. They specialize in caring for and educating clients who have experienced trauma, violence, abuse, human trafficking or other types of traumas.

 

Forensic nurses are often certified in additional areas such as sexual assault examinations, crime scene processing, evidence collection, expert testimony, medical photography, death investigation, adult and child abuse, and more. FNs often work closely with law enforcement agencies.

Forensic Nurses:

A Diverse Field

Other areas where FNs are found include medical fraud departments, medical examiners or coroners’ offices, organ procurement agencies, corporations with occupational nurse departments, disaster relief agencies, government organizations, non-profit organizations, victim relief programs, universities, and large healthcare systems. FNs can work in all areas and units of hospitals, clinics, health departments, and physician offices.

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Many forensic nurses become certified  Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) , or Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE).

FNs trauma informed care provision increases the likelihood of prosecution in criminal cases and positively impacts patient and family outcomes due to the care and emotional support provided. 

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Roles of Forensic Nurses

They work to address the medical, psychological, and legal needs of patients, and may also support the families of victims. Their responsibilities can include:

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  • Evidence collection: Photographing injuries, collecting physical evidence like blood and hair, and documenting findings

  • Medical care: Treating patients, administering fluids and medicine, and performing physical exams

  • Emotional support: Providing crisis intervention and emotional support to help patients recover from trauma

  • Legal proceedings: Serving as expert witnesses, offering consultation, and providing testimony in court

  • Working with law enforcement: Collaborating with law enforcement and legal teams to help victims

  • Death investigations: Working with coroners to establish cause of death and prepare statistics

  • Perpetrator evaluations: When necessary, evaluating alleged perpetrators

  • Family support: Providing information, education, and support to families of victims 

  • Client and family support: Recent family loss due to illness, accident, criminal activity, disaster and other causes of death.

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