Forensic nursing science: Global strategies in health and justice

Forensic nurse examiners (FNE) are becoming integral partners in contemporary medicolegal systems worldwide. Existing forensic services have been proven inadequate to sufficiently address the vast crimes against women and children, victims of sexual and domestic violence, sociocultural crimes, abusive religious rituals, and atrocities that accompany armed conflict. Considering that nurses comprise the largest group of healthcare providers worldwide, forensic nurse examiners represent a previously unrecognized resource in universal healthcare and embody an ideal group to advance international considerations in global healthcare and social justice. Although specific legal concerns within the healthcare communities vary from country to country, all nations struggle with issues of public health and safety. A comprehensive multidisciplinary forensic education and training program for nurses will facilitate improved management of existing interpersonal and sexual violence crises while reducing an unnecessary back log of cases for forensic physicians. The addition of a forensic specialist in nursing science will provide a valuable resource to assist in the substantiation of prosecutors’ claims or aid in the exoneration of suspects who are falsely accused. Their unique contributions increase coordination and cooperation, share medical/forensic expertise, enhance the care of victims of crimes while augmenting forensic services, and act as a liaison in applicable responsibilities between healthcare institutions and law enforcement agencies. The relevant literature indicates that once the Forensic Nurse Examiner Response Team is trained, specialists in forensic nursing science practice independently under the auspices of a Director of Clinical Forensic Medicine or Chief Medical Examiner. This new generation of health and justice professionals will produce affirmative outcomes where the science of forensic nursing is practiced. The positive treatment of victims of gender based crime, an increase in successful prosecution, and the assurance of best specimens in evidence recovery will provide confidence in the community at large that justice has been served through these combined forensic services...medicine, nursing and the law.