It’s 1 a.m., and a woman comes into the emergency room claiming to have been sexually assaulted. Or maybe it’s a child, with a possible broken arm—as well as evidence of other injuries, or a patient with a story that doesn’t add up, with injuries that aren’t consistent with the type of accident they are claiming.
In all of these cases, as well as cases when the victims of crime visit the emergency room or doctor’s office, forensic nurses are the first in line to note evidence that can later be used in criminal cases. Forensic nurses generally have specialized training in aspects of criminal justice (and may even hold a criminal justice degree) such as evidence collection, criminal investigation, victim counseling and courtroom testimony. They combine the medical training of a nurse, generally in emergency or pediatric specialties, with a legal background that makes them an important ally to medical examiners, detectives and police forces around the country.
Photo by : Walt Stoneburner
Source by : flickr
