Forensic Nursing: Death Investigation Lauren Palazzo College of Nursing Senior Project Faculty Sponsor: Ginette G. Ferszt PhD, RN, CS, FT Associate Professor/Director, Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Program

Forensic Nursing focuses on issues pertaining to the law and legal system. Forensic Nursing focuses on issues pertaining to the law and legal system. International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN, 1999) International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN, 1999) What is Forensic Nursing?

Objectives Defined forensic nursing. Defined forensic nursing. Differentiated between forensic science and forensic nursing. Differentiated between forensic science and forensic nursing. Discussed how the role of the law enforcement official who is the death investigator differed from the role of the FNDI. Discussed how the role of the law enforcement official who is the death investigator differed from the role of the FNDI. Briefly defined the previous mentioned specialty roles in forensic nursing. Briefly defined the previous mentioned specialty roles in forensic nursing. Explained how an FNDI can determine the difference between a death by suicide and homicide in applying learned skills and assessments as a nurse in combination with those skills specialized in forensics. Explained how an FNDI can determine the difference between a death by suicide and homicide in applying learned skills and assessments as a nurse in combination with those skills specialized in forensics.

Definition IAFN IAFN Virginia Lynch RN, MS Virginia Lynch RN, MS

Forensic Science vs. Forensic Nursing Forensic Science is defined as “any evidence found on a crime scene or science used for the purposes of law: in criminal law and in court of law investigations.” (What is forensics?, 2003, para. 2). Forensic Science is defined as “any evidence found on a crime scene or science used for the purposes of law: in criminal law and in court of law investigations.” (What is forensics?, 2003, para. 2). Forensic nursing differs from forensic science by incorporating both the assessment and treatment of victims and perpetrators involved in the investigated activity. Forensic nursing differs from forensic science by incorporating both the assessment and treatment of victims and perpetrators involved in the investigated activity.

Forensic Forensic Science Nursing

Law Enforcement Official vs. FNDI Criminal Investigation Criminal Investigation Medical Investigation Medical Investigation

Specialties SANE SANE FNDI FNDI

Suicide vs. Homicide Suicide Suicide Manners Manners Strangulation Strangulation Presenting Injuries Presenting Injuries Homicide Homicide Types of Homicide Types of Homicide Presenting Injuries Presenting Injuries Signs of Death Signs of Death

Why Forensic Nursing IS Important The FNDI’s past nursing knowledge allows her to interpret medical records that could only aid the pathologist. The FNDI’s past nursing knowledge allows her to interpret medical records that could only aid the pathologist. Quote Quote Core tasks of nursing. Core tasks of nursing.