The Specialties Of Forensic Nurses
Forensic nursing, just like regular nursing is divided up into
several smaller specialties. Nurses wanting to get an education
in forensics have the opportunity to pick one or more of these
specialties that they prefer the most. Here are three of those
smaller specialties:
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
This nurse responds to notification of sexual assault, usually
by the emergency room staff and obtains a preliminary history,
conducts an in-depth interview and conducts the physical,
including a pelvic exam to collect appropriate evidence.
The nurse maintains a verified chain of evidence and
collaborates with law enforcement officials, which may include
testifying in court. The role includes victim education
regarding sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy risks and
provides referrals for follow-up care.
The first SANE programs started in the mid 1970's but it wasn't
until the late 1980's that the programs got a major growth spurt
as they grew more rapidly in the 1990's when localities started
to see the benefits of what these SANE programs have to offer.
And by 1996, there were approximately 70 programs in existence.
Death Investigator
A death investigator is the first person at the crime scene with
a forensic background. They must have a knowledgeable background
in forensics to be able to approximate the time of death.
For nurses that want to get into CSI, they can become crime seen
and death investigators. Nurses make exceptional CSI's because
they know the terminology, techniques, and pick up on signs of
medical problems with the victim. Picking up on pre-existing
medical problems in victims are easily noticed by a nurse, that
might not be so easily noticed by a
Forensic Nurse Investigator
These nurses go by different titles, such as deputy coroner,
forensic nurse investigator, or death investigator. Nurses are
highly regarded for their medical background, investigative
abilities and record keeping/documentation skills that they
bring.
There's a lot of responsibility that comes with this career. If
they do their job out of the coroner's office, the usually work
on a schedule in the office along with taking on call time.
Responsibilities for the forensic nurse investigator include
responding to the scene, collaborating with detectives,
examining the body, taking blood and tissue samples,
photographing the body at the scene as well as the scene itself,
keeping good records and arranging for the body to be taken to
the morgue for autopsy. The help with autopsies and work side by
side with the forensic pathologist in collecting evidence.
These are just a few of the specialties that all have to do with
forensic nursing. There are more specialties than the three that
I've listed. There's something for any nurse that wants a career
in the forensic sciences.