7/31/2019 Introduction by Xandy_jaraba

1/1

INTRODUCTION

Forensic is a science of criminal investigation in order to

provide evidence that is used in the solution of criminal cases. It

comes from the Latin forensicmeaning of or before the forum.

As trends in crime and violence change, new legislation isimplemented as a means of antiviolence strategies. New

resources are required to meet the needs of the society at war

against crime. Thus, this requires multidisciplinary approach of

issues.

Innovative and expanded health care roles are responding

to some issues that concern the healthcare team and society.

This emerged to a more complex but flexible adaptation of roles

and responsibilities. Since nurses can assume various functions

in any healthcare setting, this brought the nurses a new

challenge to conjoin patient care with the legal system to expandresources that is accessible to patients with liability related

injuries, mentally disordered lawbreakers, victims and

defendants. This is what they call forensic nursing.

Forensic nursing is defined as the application of the

nursing process to public or legal proceedings and the

application of forensic health care in the scientific investigation of

trauma and or death related to abuse, violence, criminal activity,

liability and accidents. (Lynch, 2004) Moreover, it represents a

new perspective and holistic approach to legal issues that allows

nurse practitioners a wider role in the clinical investigation of

crime and legal processes. In short, it addresses healthcare

issues that have medicolegal component.

A forensic nurse is a registered nurse specifically trained

to provide a comprehensive care in the medicolegal

management of forensic patients. The forensic nurse examiner

must demonstrate competency in the performance of forensic

examination and ability to testify as an expert witness in a court

of law to apprehend or prosecute perpetrators who commitviolent and abusive acts. Furthermore, the forensic nurse

provides care to the victims of violence, trauma and abuse such

as sexual assault, interpersonal violence, neglect, or other forms

of intentional and unintentional injury.

However, the specialized role of forensic nurses goes far

beyond medical care. They must have an advanced knowledge

of the legal system and skills in injury identification, collection of

evidences, evaluation and documentation.

Although forensic nursing has been practiced by many

countries today, this is not yet widely known in the Philippines

because of the unavailability of forensic nursing education

offered here. Nevertheless, some nurses also practice this

function informally without them knowing.

While these roles and responsibilities continue to expand,

the need for nurses remains in demand to an expanded career

roles. In summary, flexibility is a critical value in role

development especially in the nursing profession.

Likewise, the concept of this integrated seminar was

made into realization with theme of Forensic Nursing, Bridging

Laws and Health Care: Expanding Horizons in Nursing, hosted

by 4th year Block CCC students.