The Need for Training in Forensic Nursing

Abstract

Violent crime impacts two critical aspects of humanity; Health and Justice. In order to address forensic issues
associated with trauma due to violence, an interdisciplinary approach by a team of professionals in both Health and
Justice fields is required. The inadequate number of coroners has led to a deficiency in the quality of investigation in
court cases. Therefore, the education of Nursing professionals in forensic medicine is critical in this time of increased
crime and violence. Forensics has already been established as a separate nursing specialty originally in the US since the
1990s. Many countries have incorporated Forensic Nursing in their education in the form of specialty or postgraduate
programs, providing the necessary knowledge so nurses can cope with ever-increasing violence and crime. The role
of the Forensic Nurse (FN) should not be confused with the role of the Forensic Doctor. The FN is trained to collect
evidence and work with law enforcement agencies. But the role of the FN is not to enforce the law. They are, above
all else, nurses who are trained to treat the patient. Since the Forensic Doctor cannot be on-site at all times for every
patient arriving at the health services with trauma caused by violence, the F.N. will be available. They will not replace
the doctor but they will make their job much easier by collecting evidence in an appropriate manner at the right time,
ensuring that it is useable in acquitting or indicting someone who may have escaped justice if the F.N. wasn’t present. This is especially critical in Emergency Departments (E.D.), which are typically the first to come in contact with all
victims and patients. Forensic Nursing is an emerging field that transcends the traditional role of nursing practice and
adapts to the challenges of our time. It should be integrated into Greece's nursing curriculums; to be initially taught
as a course in Nursing Schools and in the near future as a specialty or postgraduate program.