FORENSIC NURSING

Forensic Nursing

Forensic Nursing

Introduction

The purpose of writing this paper is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some relevant facts and figures related to the topic of Forensic nursing. A forensic nurse is a nursing professional who has specialized training in the field of the collection of forensic evidence, legal testimony, criminal procedures and more. This nursing expert becomes a liaison between the criminal justice system and the medical profession. This field helps to combine the medical training of a nurse with the investigative prowess of detectives and the legal training of a lawyer. In short, this type of nursing professional becomes a formidable enemy for criminals (Barton, 1999).

Forensic nurses cater to the needs of victims and the perpetrators of a death or trauma that has taken place because of criminal acts and traumatic events. The forensic nurses are professionals who assist with their patient's emotional and physical recovery with the added responsibility of collecting and recognizing evidence in the treatment of patient wounds. This makes their job a crucial and delicate one to a very large extent. In the next section, we will examine some other important aspects and responsibilities of Forensic nurses.

Discussion & Analysis

The title of forensic nursing is unfamiliar to mans' nurses. This is riot surprising as the recognition of nursing practice, as 'forensic' in nature is not widespread outside of North America and Canada. The term 'forensic' is derived from the word 'forum' referring to the Roman market place where lawyers once met to debate. Today, most people would associate the word forensic with dead bodies and the investigation of death as a sequel to criminal activity. This matches another association of the term forensics with the role of the pathologist in the scientific investigation of death. Since those early beginnings the subspecialty of clinical forensic medicine has developed with a focus on the forensic needs of the living (Benak, 2006).

In 1987, Harry McNamara, the Chief Medical Examiner for Ulster County, New York, brought this new field of inquiry to the attention of clinical nursing practice. McNamara saw a gap between the criminal justice and health care systems in the management of forensic patients. He recognized that without a forensic background, health carers could adversely affect the scientific investigation and proper processing of forensic evidence for patients with liability related injuries, and believed that adequately prepared nurses could make a valuable contribution in bridging this gap (Lynch, 1993).

Today forensic nursing is in the pioneering stage of development as a specialty practice, and continues to intrigue and attract attention from other agencies working in this field. The development of contemporary roles, however, brings with it the responsibility to establish a body of knowledge that supports and advances the area of specialism and develops standards for practice. Before the doors are likely to be opened wider to forensic nurses, further work needs to be done to establish educational programs that will contribute to role clarification, develop practice standards and educate major stakeholders in the health and ...