Forensic Nurse: The New Role of the Nurse in Law Enforcement
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ON THE FRONT LINESA young victim of a hit and run is brought to the ER...A college student thinks she may have been raped....A homeless man is covered with chemical burns but won't say how he got them... Across the country, in moments of crisis, nurses are often the first witnesses to acts of trauma. And when the human body itself is a crime scene, what a nurse does—from asking the right questions to preserving the key evidence—can make all the difference in the world.IN THE HEART OF THE ACTIONNow, a new kind of nurse is being deployed to the front lines. Detective, advocate, caregiver: specially trained forensic nurses play an increasingly critical role in cases of violence, negligence and mayhem—and giving justice a fighting chance.AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME...This book chronicles dozens of riveting cases, from the bizarre to the commonplace. Spotlighting pioneering personalities in forensic nursing today, this book shows how forensic nurses do their job, why they often become key witnesses in trials, and how these unsung heroes help police solve society's most baffling crimes. Publishers Weekly The author, a registered nurse and mystery writer (Bagels for Tea), does an excellent job of conveying the importance of an emerging medical specialty. Because forensic nurses described by Stevens as "law enforcement's secret weapon," with a "unique combination of medical skill, legal knowledge, and criminology" are often first on the scene of a crime or in an emergency room, they are in a unique position to collect evidence regarding accidents, alleged sexual assault, spousal abuse and other violent incidents. Stevens details how forensic nurses are trained to preserve and interpret evidence that physicians may overlook. A sexual assault nurse examiner, for example, assists alleged rape victims with a careful physical examination, an in-depth interview and emotional support. Stevens shows how savvy FNs deal with physicians who resent forensic nurses, viewing them as encroaching on their territory (she suggests telling the doc, " `I would love to have you do this exam... the whole six hours of interviewing... and doing the evidence collection.' See how quickly they back out"). Drawing on case histories, Stevens describes how forensic nurses are trained to remain objective, serve as legal witnesses and work with law enforcement. She also highlights the problems these skilled nurses face, such as inadequate compensation. Agent, Lettie Lee of the Ann Elmo Agency. (Sept. 20) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Who is a forensic nurse?1Trauma nurse18The sexual assault nurse examiner44The nurse and the law121Investigating deaths155Abuse and neglect168Till death do us part?191The criminally insane202
