Mission Impossible-Forensic Intrigue

Alabama Nurse, Mar-May 2006 by Starkey, Mary, Donoghue, Janet

Mary Starkey RN BSN Secretary/Treasurer of the MS/AL Chapter International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) and Janet Donoghue BS RN SANE-A, Chairman of the South Central Region of IAFN Conference

Imagination conjures up scenarios of CSI and excitement when the word forensics is spoken. Forensic nursing is "the application of the forensic aspects of the healthcare combined with the bio/pysch/social spiritual education of the registered nurse in the scientific investigation and treatment of trauma, and/or death of victims and perpetrators of violence, criminal and traumatic accidents. The forensic nurse provides direct services to individual clients, consultation services to nursing, medical and law-related agencies, as well as providing expert court testimony in areas dealing with questioned death investigative process, adequacy of services delivery and specialized diagnoses of specific conditions as related to nursing" (lynch 1991)

The role of the forensic nurse is that of a forensic specialist in nursing, not a nursing specialist in forensic science or criminal justice. The major status of a forensic nurse is first and foremost nursing.

"JCAHO guidelines stress that evidentiary materials must be identified retained and safeguarded as part of the screening and assessment process." (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO).

Forensic nursing is a framework for accountability in nursing. All nurses should receive a basic education in forensic nursing. A JACHO guideline expects every nurse to be competent in screening and assessing abuse, collection of evidentiary material and interview techniques.

The South Central Region of IAFN is having their 5th Biennial Conference in Huntsville Alabama on April 1 and 2, 2006. For additional details and phone registration or a brochure 256-683-2548, 256-716-4052-ext 122, e-mail jdonoghue@csna.org or glend@hiwaay.net