What is a Forensic Nurse?

By: Zain Hanna

When most people hear the word “forensics,” they picture crime shows: glowing fingerprints, smears of blood on the floor, dramatic courtroom scenes, and detectives solving cases. What they don’t picture is a nurse in the hospital at three o’clock in the morning, gently asking a traumatized patient for permission to photograph or collect a swab of DNA. This soft, quiet nurse at the bedside is often the person who makes justice possible. That moment matters more than what most people realize.

Forensic nursing is a unique specialty in the field of nursing as it blends compassionate patient care with the findings of forensics. Julie Valentine, a forensic science researcher, similarly explains, “Forensic nursing combines nursing care with the legal system and forensic sciences” (Valentine 1). These nurses care for people affected by a wide variety of violence, abuse, and trauma, ranging from sexual assault to human trafficking. They treat both survivors and, at times, perpetrators, highlighting that the nursing process, which is a key component of this profession, requires commitment to objective, nonjudgmental care.

The emergency department is one of the main places forensic nurses practice. However, they don’t just “give out kits” and take note of patients’ conditions. According to the Emergency Nurses Association and the International Association of Forensic Nurses, they emphasize that “forensic nursing in the emergency care setting is more than just evidence collection” (Navarroli 4). Forensic nurses are trained to care for traumatic experiences. Before examining their patients, they obtain consent whenever possible and work to avoid retraumatizing patients who may already feel powerless. At the same time, they photograph injuries, collect swabs, label clothing that may serve as evidence of a crime scene, and document what patients say in precise detail, knowing that these records might later be used in court.

Their impact stretches beyond the hospital walls. Forensic nurses connect patients with advocacy centers, shelters, social workers, and law enforcement, making them act as a bridge between the healthcare and legal systems. For example, an article from the Delaware Nurses Association notes that, “forensic nurses are an invaluable source and play a vital role in treating survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault by advocating for their well-being and ensuring justice is served” (Brittingham 1). In other words, they are not only there to treat injuries, but to protect justice in the future while protecting patients’ safety.

Becoming a forensic nurse usually begins with becoming a registered nurse and then gaining experience in areas like emergency, critical care, or women’s health. From there, nurses can complete specialized training such as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and may go on to more advanced degrees focusing on forensic nursing. In fact, Valentine highlights that “about 72% of the International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN) members are SANEs” (Valentine 1). However, the work is emotionally intense, and many forensic nurses hear painful stories and see injuries that are unforgettable.

For teens who are interested in both science and social justice, forensic nursing offers a unique path out of the various fields of the healthcare system. It’s a career for those who want to help individuals heal while also strengthening systems that seek truth and accountability. In every labeled evidence bag, every calm conversation with a frightened patient, every photograph of a bruise or an injury, forensic nurses transform trauma into a chance for safety, recovery, and justice.

Works Cited

Brittingham, Angela. “Forensic Nurses: An Invaluable Resource.” vol. 49, no. 3. denurses.org, https://www.myamericannurse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024_Q3_SNA_DE_ForensicNurses.pdf.

Navarroli, Joanne E. “Forensic Nursing in the Emergency Care Setting [Joint Position Statement].” International Association of Forensic Nurses and Emergency Nurses Association, 2023, https://www.forensicnurses.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Forensic-Nursing-in-the-ECS-V9-ENA-Final.pdf.

Valentine, Julie. “Forensic nursing: Overview of a growing profession.” American Nurse Today, vol. 13, no. 12, 2018, p. 3. myamericannurse.com, https://www.myamericannurse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ant12-Forensic-1207.pdf.