Forensic Nursing

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that over the past few years, the practice of forensic nursing has emerged as a dramatic new profession as a result of the numerous crime television shows and media attention on the medical aspect of criminal investigations. The writer notes that media has portrayed forensic nursing as a new phenomenon used to solve crimes to public society even though nurses have actually been practicing forensic nursing for many years. This paper discusses the history, need, educational requirements and the practice of the forensic nurse. It also analyzes the current and future implications of the forensic nurse in relation to healthcare trends, and concludes with a projection of this role in the future as technological advancements in the industry progress.


Outline:
Introduction
The History of and the Need for Forensic Nursing
Educational Requirements and Practice of the Forensic Nurse
Current and Future Implications and the Relation to Healthcare Trends
Current Healthcare System and Future Projections

From the Paper:

"Although portions of her testimony were not admitted by the court, it was considered a small victory for forensic nursing because the court recognized Brown as an expert witness. In 2002, another court held that nurses who examine alleged rape victims may testify in court but cannot offer their opinion that a victim's injuries were caused by sexual assault. After 2002, the particular need for this profession, was established, as forensic nurses play many different roles. Forensic nurses assist rape victims, and work with other types of interpersonal abuse such as domestic violence, child and elderly abuse, neglect and physiological, as well as psychological abuse. Many forensic nurses work as examiners in hospital emergency rooms, examining victims of near-fatal or fatal traumas such as shooting or stabbing. In these cases, the forensic nurse works in collecting bullets and other debris left in the body that will assist in the investigation. They also have to photograph and measure the wounds of the patients, and in the case of death, the forensic nurse works in conjunction with the medical examiner."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allert, L. & Becker, M. (2003). Death investigation: Nursing on the cutting edge. Retrieved March 26, 2007, from http://www.forensicnursemag.com/articles2811lifedeath.html.
• Batchen, M. (2005). Forensic Nurse Death Investigators. Retrieved March 25, 2007, from http://www.lifeloom.com.
• Hufft, A.G. & Peternelj-Taylor, C. (2000). Forensic nursing : An emerging specialty. Nursing now: Today's issues, tomorrow's trends (pp. 427-448). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
• James, S.H. & Nordby, J.J. (2003). Forensic science: An introduction to scientific and investigative techniques. Boca Raton: CPC Press.
• Morris, J. (2006). Breaking The Silence - Forensic Nursing. Retrieved March 27, 2007, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Breaking-The-Silence---Forensic- Nursing&id=145778.

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