Helping Victims through a Forensic Nursing Program |
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April 25, 2006
by Edward Castro
ed.castro@healthcare-programs.com
Healthcare Programs Columnist
It is estimated that between one in four and one in six women is raped during her lifetime and even more if intimate partner rape is included. What happens to a victim when she reports a sexual assault?
Medical professionals use the term "rape" while legal and law enforcement professionals use the term "sexual assault" to describe the use of force, penetration, and lack of consent in an attempt to accomplish sexual intercourse. Once a victim has decided to involve law enforcement to investigate sexual assault, a nurse trained in forensics by a forensic nursing program is called to collect evidence.
Timing is Everything
Ideally, the victim seeks medical attention within 72 hours of the assault, when there is a better chance of finding evidence. A forensic nursing specialist will then examine the victim's clothes, saliva, blood, and hair samples for evidence. Part of the examination includes taking swabs from the woman's private areas.
The Registered Nurse and Forensic Nursing School
Once the specimens are collected they are placed in a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit, which is simply a sealed box used to assure the evidence remains unaltered before it is processed. The Kit can be kept frozen for up to six months in cases where the victim is unsure whether they want to involve the police.
In The Hands of Experts
Once the Kit makes its way to the lab, scientists will examine and analyze the contents using various methods including DNA analysis. While much has been made of DNA to prove guilt or innocence, DNA evidence cannot prove that a sexual assault occurred, only that the accused was at the scene of the alleged crime. What the evidence does is assist law enforcement professionals in piecing together a case that prosecutors can use to bring the accused to justice.
In all of this, a forensic nurse is a very important part of helping women. If this service is interesting to you, check out a registered nurse school.
About the Author
Edward Castro has an extensive experience as a creative media writer.
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