To address the role of Nursing within an emergency department and the final impact on forensic cases with the evidence preserved1414. Lynch VA. Forensic nursing in the emergency department: A new role for the 1990s. Crit Care Nurs Quart [Internet]. 1991 [cited 2021 Jul 7];14(3):69-86. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ccnq/citation/1991/11000/forensic_nursing_in_the_emergency_department__a.10.aspx
https://journals.lww.com/ccnq/citation/1...
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Emergency professionals are responsible for the evaluation, collection, documentation, and for properly following with the chain of custody. |
To present how evidence is collected in the emergency department in a situation of sexual assault1515. Aiken M, Speck PM. Forensic considerations for the emergency department. Tenn Nurse [Internet]. 1996 [cited 2021 Jul 7];59(3):19-21. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8920475/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8920475...
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It is necessary to evaluate, know the rudiments of collection, storage of physical evidence, document injuries by photographic means, avoid biological degradation and follow the chain of custody. |
To address obstacles faced for the implementation of the sexual assault response team1616. Smith K, Holmseth J, MacGregor M, Letourneau M, Minnesota M. Sexual assault response team: Overcoming obstacles to program development. J Emerg Nurs. 1998;24(4):365-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0099-1767(98)90132-5
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0099-1767(98)90...
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The obstacles were funding, team composition and adequate training of professionals. |
To describe the functions of the forensic nurse in the emergency department1717. MacCracken LM. Living forensics: a natural evolution in emergency care. Accident Emerg Nurs. 1999;7(4):211-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0965-2302(99)80053-8
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0965-2302(99)80...
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Recognize a potential forensic situation, proceed with collection, preservation, complete documentation of objective and subjective signs, follow up in the chain of custody, notify closest relatives, see the link between patient, physician and investigator. |
To review the literature related to the recognition and collection of forensic materials in emergency departments by nurses1818. McGillivray B. The role of Victorian emergency nurses in the collection and preservation of forensic evidence: a review of the literature. Accident Emerg Nurs. 2004;13(2):95-100. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaen.2004.09.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaen.2004.09.0...
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Recognition and collection of evidence should be performed by nurses to forward to the authorities. These professionals must identify physical and non-physical traces, document and maintain the chain of custody. |
To evaluate the clinical Nursing practice as a sexual assault examiner in an urgency care center for sexual attacks1919. Stermac L, Dunlap H, Bainbridge D. Sexual assault services delivered by SANEs. J Forensic Nursing. 2005;1(3):124-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3938.2005.tb00029.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3938.2005...
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The practice consisted of physical evaluation, gathering evidence and documentation of assault and injuries, screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections and pregnancy, providing treatment and medication, and testifying in court. |
To evaluate the Nursing programs as sexual assault examiner2020. Campbell R, Patterson D, Lichty LF. The effectiveness of sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs: A review of psychological, medical, legal, and community outcomes. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2005;6(4):313-29. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1524838005280328
https://doi.org/10.1177%2F15248380052803...
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Medical care was provided 24 hours a day for rape survivors. The minority of the victims received information to understand the medical services, such as pregnancy risk, contraception to prevent pregnancy and the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections. |
To compare the collection of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs*) in standardized evidence kits with other emergency departments without a SANE*(2121. Pennington EC, Zwemer JRFL, Krebs DA. Unique sexual assault examiner program utilizing mid-level providers. J Emerg Med. 2010;38(1):95-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.11.109
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2007....
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The examiners trained in the SANE* program perform more complete collections and more compatible with the forensic evidence standards. |
To evaluate the education level of clinical practice trauma nurses in a trauma center2222. Eldredge K. Assessment of trauma nurse knowledge related to forensic practice. J Forensic Nurs. 2008;4(4);157-65. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3938.2008.00027.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3938.2008...
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Emergency room professionals received further instructions of forensic protocols on chain of custody maintenance, evidence gathering, and high-quality documentation. |
To describe the perception of the importance of forensic role behaviors performed by nurses in emergency departments2323. Abdool NN, Brysiewicz P. A description of the forensic nursing role in emergency departments in Durban, South Africa. J Emerg Nurs. 2009;35(1):16-21. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2008.02.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2008.02.00...
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In cases of child physical abuse, the forensic practice must be identified and performed. This is one of the main functions performed by forensic nurses. |
To assess the impact of introducing a sexual assault and domestic violence program in the emergency department with forensic evidence collection2424. Sampsel K, Szobota L, Joyce D, Graham K, Pickett W. The impact of a sexual assault/domestic violence program on ED care. J Emerg Nursing. 2009;35(4):282-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2008.07.014
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2008.07.01...
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There was a significant increase in pelvic examinations, in the use of the forensic kit, and in the forensic chain. The rates of anogenital lesions, pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections decreased. The flow in the emergency department was optimized. |
To develop an evidence-based set of guidelines for forensic evidence collection2525. Eisert PJ, Eldredge K, Hartlaub T, Huggins E, Keirn G, O'Brien P, et al. CSI: new@ York: development of forensic evidence collection guidelines for the emergency department. Crit Care Nurs Quart. 2010;33(2):190-9. doi: http://doi.org/10.1097/CNQ.0b013e3181d913b4
https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1097/C...
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The guidelines address the use of equipment by the professionals; use of the evidence collection kit; general physical evaluation of the patient; adequate collection of fluids, belongings and materials; storage and proper documentation, use of photographs; collection of evidence left by the victim during evaluation. |
To describe the types of forensic evidence of firearm injuries and to describe the nurses’ role in treating victims of gunshot wound2626. Snow AF, Bozeman JM. Role implications for nurses caring for gunshot wound victims. Crit Care Nurs Quart. 2010;33(3):259-64. doi: http://doi.org/10.1097/CNQ.0b013e3181e65fec
https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1097/C...
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The primary evidence on a gunshot victim is clothing, bullets, gunpowder, and primer. Nursing has the role of acting in the clinic, in communication and collaboration with the authorities. |
To describe and compare the forensic knowledge, practice and experiences of nurses and emergency physicians2727. Henderson E, Harada N, Amar A. Caring for the forensic population: Recognizing the educational needs of emergency department nurses and physicians. J Forensic Nurs. 2012;8(4):170-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3938.2012.01144.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3938.2012...
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Physicians and nurses have the same level of knowledge, and they showed confidence in the collection and documentation of possible evidence. |
To compare the care quality indicators in a pediatric emergency department before and after the implementation of a program of pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners2828. Hornor G, Thackeray O, Scribano P, Curran S, Benzinger E. Pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner care: Trace forensic evidence, ano-genital injury, and judicial outcomes. J Forensic Nurs. 2012;8(3):105-11. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3938.2011.01131.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3938.2011...
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Implementation of the program maximized care, reduced the time of care, increased the collection of sexual violence kits, and the evaluation and documentation of pregnancy testing and of Sexually Transmitted Infections. |
To show the role of collecting and preserving evidence as a Nursing competence of the emergency department2929. Foresman-Capuzzi J. CSI & U: Collection and preservation of evidence in the emergency department. J Emerg Nurs. 2014;40(3):229-36. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2013.04.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2013.04.00...
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For collection and preservation, there should be informative evidence (stories, expressions, odors); tangible physical evidence (macroscopic and/or microscopic) through protocols and techniques, using forensic kits; to establish the chain of custody. |
To describe the nurses’ views on the forensic care provided to victims of violence and their families in emergency departments3030. Rahmqvist JL, Benzein E, Årestest K. Nurses' views of forensic care in emergency departments and their attitudes, and involvement of family members. J Clin Nurs. 2015;24(1-2):266-74. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12638
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12638...
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Most of them knew about the care protocols, cooperated with the authorities and involved families in the victim’s care process. |
To identify categories of forensic patients in the intensive care unit and emergency department3131. Pasqualone G, Michel C. Forensic patients hiding in full view. Crit Care Nurs Quart. 2015;38(1):3-16. doi: http://doi.org/10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000043
https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1097/C...
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The identification of 27 categories of forensic patients made it possible to properly recognize, document and collect evidence according to each lesion, before offering the necessary care for the patient’s wounds. |
To evaluate professionals who worked in 112 emergency centers on how to act in forensic cases66. Asci O, Hazar G, Sercan I. The approach of prehospital health care personnel working at emergency stations towards forensic cases. Turkish J Emerg Med. 2015;15(3):131-5. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjem.2015.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjem.2015.11.0...
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Most of the professionals were unable to recognize, preserve, protect and did not communicate adequately to the authorities. |
To describe the need for a collaborative relationship between the advanced practice of Forensic Nursing in the emergency department and intensive care environments3232. Pasqualone GA. The relationship between the forensic nurse in the emergency department and law enforcement officials. Crit Care Nurs Quart. 2015;38(1):36-48. doi: http://doi.org/10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000047
https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1097/C...
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Nurses are the link between the patient, the health system and the law. Their function is the recognition, collection, documentation, photodocumentation and completion of reports, so that the evidence is delivered to the authorities. |
To address incidents with active snipers in the United States in public places, including hospitals3333. Palestis K. Active Shooters: What Emergency Nurses Need to Know. J Forensic Nurs. 2016;12(2):74-9. doi: http://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000113
https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1097/J...
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Spontaneous reaction, post-event actions and evidence collection procedures should be part of the continuous actions of emergency nurses. |
To define Nursing care in cases of trauma on the collection and preservation of forensic evidence in the emergency department3434. Bush K. Forensic evidence collection in the emergency care setting. J Emerg Nurs. 2018;44(3):286. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2018.03.010
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2018.03.01...
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Nurses should recognize the impact of trauma on the patients, early recognition of evidence, so that collection and preservation is part of the care plan, collaborate with other emergency professionals and guide the patients’ privacy and rights. |
To investigate the knowledge and practice of emergency professionals on forensic processes during care for victims of violence77. Musse JO, Santos VS, Santos DS, Santos FP, Melo CM. Preservation of forensic traces by health professionals in a hospital in Northeast Brazil. Forensic Scienc Internat. 2020;306:110057. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.110057
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019...
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Half of them were unaware of the collection, documentation and preservation procedures. There was no habit of collecting and documenting objects present in the victim’s body, hospital materials and devices used during the procedures. |
To determine the levels of knowledge of emergency department health professionals in the treatment of frequently encountered forensic cases3535. Topçu ET, Kazan EE, Buken E. Healthcare Personnel's Knowledge and Management of Frequently Encountered Forensic Cases in Emergency Departments in Turkey. J Forensic Nurs. 2020;16(1):29-35. doi: http://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000275
https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1097/J...
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There was a low level of forensic training and the professionals, who are not prepared to carry out the practices, must make their own identification record for the authorities. |
To determine the Nursing professionals’ knowledge level regarding the approach to cases and forensic tests3636. Sakalli D, Aslan M. Levels of Knowledge of Emergency Nurses Regarding Forensic Cases and Approaches to Evidence. Signa Vitae. 2020;16(1):65-72. doi: http://doi.org/10.22514/sv.2020.16.0009
https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.22514/...
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The Nursing professionals did not have the knowledge and technical competence to perform forensic tasks; as they did not receive adequate training for this, they thought that the role would be the Police responsibility. |
To evaluate the relationship between nurses’ knowledge and performance of forensic evidence procedures3737. Silva JO, Santos LF, Santos SM, Silva DP, Santos VS, Melo CM. Preservation of Forensic Evidence by Nurses in a Prehospital Emergency Care Service in Brazil. J Trauma Nurs. 2020;27(1):58-62. doi: http://doi.org/10.1097/JTN.0000000000000483
https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1097/J...
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Most of the nurses knew the items for documentation and performed them in practice. Only 10.2% knew the procedures for preservation and evidence collection, but less than 1% practiced them. |
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