Forensic Nurse
By Jessie Lizzi
Definition
Forensic Nurses help investigate crimes like sexual and physical assault, and accidental death. They are trained in medical evidence collection and secure evidence.
Uses
As a Forensic Nurse, your job will have most of your time spent in hospital emergency rooms, helping people. You’ll also testify in court as an expert medical witness.
Requirments
- By enrolling in an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree
- Registered Nurses license in which nurses can take specialized courses leading to certification
- Nurses should expect to complete continuing education credits, based on their state’s requirements, to renew their nursing license.
Mohajer v. Commonwealth of Virginia
The victim was assaulted by the defendant while receiving a professional massage. The defendant appealed his convictions of rape. The defendant argued the trial court made a mistake in allowing the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner to state an expert opinion regarding the cause of the victim’s injuries and by finding the evidence sufficient to support his convictions. The court disagreed and stated the nurse did not have to be licensed to practice medicine to express an expert opinion on the cause of injuries in an alleged sexual assault victim. The court further stated the nurse only offered her expert opinion as to the victim's injuries in terms of whether or not the injuries were consistent or inconsistent with consensual sexual intercourse.
Work Cited
http://elearning.loyno.edu/resource/nursing/forensic-nursing-in-todays-world
http://www.criminaljusticedegreeschools.com/criminal-justice-careers/forensic-nurse/
http://www.safeta.org/?page=56
http://www.nursebuff.com/2015/11/forensic-nurse/
http://nursing.advanceweb.com/Features/Articles/RNs-on-the-Scene.aspx