Question

What is the role of the Forensic Nurse in healthcare?

Answer 1

Forensic Nursing:

The word 'Forensic ' relating to the use of science and technology in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law. Forensic Nursing is a sub speciality of Nursing in which the primary responsibility of nurse is the care of victims or the criminals , who are traumatised.  

Role of a Forensic nurse in health care:

Forensic nurse is a Registered nurse , who closely works with the victims or perpetrators , and who should have excellent nursing nursing skills and good knowledge about the legal system . The different roles of a Forensic nurse in Health care are:

* Provide emotional support to the victims of trauma

* Collection of specimens such as blood, urine, saliva from the victim and the abuser.

Collection of vaginal samples from the rape victim, for DNA testing

(Sexual assault nuse examiner ( SANE) roles ?)

* History collection , physical and psychological and emotional assessment of victims and Documentation of findings

* Taking photographs of medical evidences like injury of victims

* Keeping the evidences such as victims' or criminals' cloth or associated belongings until handling over to Law and order.

* Correctional nurses are working in Juvenile homes or Correctional cenetrs for children.  

- Patient care services for the inmates

- Referral services

- Identify the signs of drug abuse

- Screening for infectious diseases among inmates

- Health promotion services and treatment services for chronic condition like Asthma.

- Collection of evidence during an assault in the prisons or Correction centers

- Collection of evidences in case of homicide or suicide

- Assisting the victims of child abuse, domestic violence or elderly abuse.

- can work with Non profit organisation, that work for victims of abuses.

- Patient care to the abuser or criminals , who have been injured or ill

The different titles of Forensic nurse are:

* Forensic nurse investigator

* Forensic clinical nurse practitioner

* Forensic nurse

* Legal nurse consultant