Chapter 5 - Forensic Nursing: Objective Victim Examination

Abstract

Forensic nursing is a subspecialty of forensic science and nursing in which the science of nursing is applied to the resolution of legal matters. A forensic nurse is a particular kind of forensic examiner who provides patient care in the context of evidence recognition, documentation, collection, and preservation efforts. Forensic nurses are consequently objective and scientific finders of fact, utilizing scientific principles and medical knowledge to discover evidence related to diseases, injuries, and crimes that may be suffered by all manner of victims. Throughout the entire forensic medical examination, forensic nurses must consider and treat the victim’s body as a physical extension of the crime scene. Their job is to perform a forensic medical examination of alleged victims, which includes making initial contact, performing an intake assessment, obtaining victim history, performing a physical examination, documenting and collecting evidence, and interpreting findings, including any related treatment.