Recognition

Whilst nurses have worked with forensic patients for some time, it wasn’t until relatively recently that forensic nursing became recognised as a genuine speciality.

On first thoughts, one may think that forensic nursing deals with the investigation of deaths and the perpetrators of such crimes.

However, it is just as likely to be applied pro-actively, looking for signs and evidence within patients who may have the potential to act in violent ways in the future.

Forensic nursing involves -

• the application of science within the legal framework
• treatment of both victims and aggressors in the case of violent or abusive incidents
• utilising recognised forensic healthcare in order to collate evidence.

Forensic nurses have a responsibility to all that need their help. This means that they will make full use of the resources available in order to aid both the victim, and those behind the crimes.

Forensic nurses will be called upon to treat a wide variety of people with very diverse histories and needs.

Working with both victim and perpetrators, they firstly need to screen for forensic data. For example, looking for a history of either criminal activity or victimisation, as appropriate.

Forensic Screening

Violence can be expressed in many ways besides hitting or killing someone. Other forms of violence include financial or sexual abuse, emotional manipulation, threats, cruelty to animals or even destroying property.

When screening children, the forensic nurse should look for signs of violence from the parents. Incidentally, it is possible to see early signs of violent behaviour in children as youg as two. With adults, a history of violence from their parents, or to them, or violence towards their children are often good indicators that they will have tendencies to be a victim or an offender.

Interestingly, it has been discovered that those who are violent to animals are often predisposed to other forms of violence.

Another point of note is that a high proportion of victims go on to become offenders, often repeating the crimes to which they had been subjected to themselves.