Forensic Nursing
Forensic Nursing
Forensic Nursing
Learning objective
• Forensic Broadest definition: In the clinical setting:
The use of science and technology to investigate and establish facts in
criminal or civil courts of law. (American Heritage Dictionary)In the
clinical setting:Every injury, illness, or death can have forensic
implications.
Forensic Nursing
Forensic nursing is defined as the application of the nursing process to public or
legal proceedings, and the application of forensic health care in the scientific
investigation of trauma and/or death related to abuse, violence, criminal
activity,liability and accidents.
The health care system and the legal system have joined in an effort to
respond to the increasing needs of crime victims.
The Context of Forensic
NursingPracticePractice
Areas within which a forensic nurse may intervene:
Interpersonal violence
Sexual assault
Death investigation
Mass disasters
Emergency/trauma services
Forensic Nursing Specialties
Clinical Forensic Nursing
Collection of evidence
Assessment of victims
Help perpetrators and victims deal with the criminal justice system.
Provide mental health treatment for convicted offenders and those found
not criminally responsible.
Forensic Correctional Nursing
The nurse works in secured settings, such as jails, prisons, and halfway
houses.
Victims of sexual assault, abuse and neglect,accidental trauma, and death investigation
All traumatic injuries in which liability is suspectedare considered within the scope of
forensicnursing.
Preservation of Evidence:
Types of wounds:
Sharp injuries
Blunt
force injuries
Dicing injuries
Patterned injuries
Bite mark injuries
Defense wounds
Hesitation wounds
Fast-force injuries
The Nursing Process: Trauma
Care
Assessment of deaths in the emergency department:
Examination of wounds
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Major depression
Personality disorders
Dual diagnoses
The Nursing Process: Correctional
Facilities
Assessment:
Common behaviors observed among thementally ill incarcerated include:
Hallucinations
Suspiciousness
Thought disorders
Anger/agitation
Impulsivity
Denial of problems
The Nursing Process: Correctional
Facilities
Assessment:
Detoxification frequently occurs in jails andprisons.
Special concerns
Female offenders
The Nursing Process: Correctional
Facilities
Nursing Diagnosis:
Risk for self-mutilation
Defensive coping
Risk for suicide
Complicated grieving
Risk for other directed
Anxiety/fear
violence
Disturbed thought processes
Ineffective coping
Powerlessness
Risk for infection
Low self-esteem
Rape-trauma syndrome
The Nursing Process: Correctional
Facilities
Planning/Implementation:
Development of a Therapeutic Relationship
Preinteraction phase: Nurse must examine own feelings, fears, and anxietiesabout working
with prisoners —possibly violent offenders.
Orientation (introductory) phase : Nurse works to establish trust with the client and sets
limits on manipulative behavior
Termination phase: Closure is difficult in a setting where prisoners may be transferred from
one institution to another on short notice. When possible, nurses may institute assistance
fortransition to the community setting.
References