What Does a Certified Forensic Nurse Do?
Forensic nursing is any intersection between the law and nursing. In general, forensic nurses are involved in the scientific investigation and treatment of people involved in crimes, violence and accidents, and are specially trained to handle evidence. The American College of Forensic Examiners International (ACFEI) offers the designation of Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN) to registered nurses who work in forensics and meet the requirements the ACFEI set up. Forensic nurses can also obtain certifications from other organizations and are not required to have a CFN designation.
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Patient Examination
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Forensic nurses examine people for the purpose of collecting evidence that might help solve a crime or explain an accident. Although sexual assault nurse examiners tend to have a high profile in the profession, forensic nurses may collect evidence from gunshot, knife or other wounds, may examine either the victim of the crime or the suspect or may provide any other nursing services required.
Court Testimony
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Forensic nurses may testify in court about what they found during an examination. Some forensic nurses also serve as expert witnesses.
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Specialization
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Forensic nurses often specialize in one area. Sexual assault is the most common specialization, followed by death investigation, forensic psychiatric nursing and medical-legal consulting, according to American Forensic Nurses. Other roles in which a forensic nurse may be involved include risk management, forensic nurse educator, bioterrorism, domestic and international investigations of human rights abuse, forensic geriatric nursing and pediatric forensic nursing.
Considerations
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In addition to working in hospitals, forensic nurses may work in schools, correctional facilities, psychiatric institutions and other settings. Although most forensic nurses work with living people, a few forensic nurses are involved in death investigations, working in a coroner's office or similar situation. Forensic nurses have been involved in the identification of bodies after Hurricane Katrina and other disasters.
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