I've heard it said so many times, "We don't test for sexually transmitted infections (STI's) in a sexual assault case." or "We don't do wet preps or look for motile or non-motile sperm." When I hear words like this, I have to catch myself before I make an excited utterance. (Seriously?)
Even given that there is an incubation period for STI organisms, the examiner needs to realize that the presence of an infection during a sexual assault exam can confound what an examiner sees on inspection. Therefore if redness, irritation or bleeding are present on a body in a criminal case, then other causes of those findings need to be investigated. The alleged victim or suspect should be tested any time it is possible. Why?
If there is redness or a discharge in the genital region (cervix, vagina, labia, penis or anus) then STI's should be ruled out as a possible contributor to that redness. When redness/irritation is seen in a photograph (or video) during a sexual assault exam, the assumption by the jury, the judge and the Prosecution is that the redness is due to some form of assault. However, when questioned by the Defense, the FNE must concede, under oath on the witness stand, that redness, bleeding or tissue injury could have originated from the presence of something else other than assault. In the absence of testing for infection, it can be assumed that some sort of infection was possibly there at the time and contributed to the findings.
Redness and/or irritation could be due to infection such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. It could be due to the presence of an STI. It could also result from consensual sexual intercourse (vigorous or not vigorous depending on the person and his/her nutritional status or overall health status) or it could result from non-consensual sex or non-consensual/consensual use of some other object (finger, fist, vibrator, coke bottle...etc.).
The point being, that it is important to investigate every causative possibility for redness, injury or bleeding in order to provide the courtroom with the best evidence available to make a sound decision. It is imperative for Forensic Nurse Examiners to learn to see beyond what is traditionally expected, to think ahead concerning what the 'recommendations for care are' vs 'what the guidelines for forensic evidence collection suggest," and then their goal should be to exceed them if need be.
If what we do is 'evidence based' then we know there are alternative reasons for redness, bleeding and various injuries. When collecting evidence it's also important to rule out those reasons so the courtroom can be more informed when it makes its decision. Some nurses are uncomfortable with doing that because they lack the skills or because of cost of time, equipment or other factors. Microscopy, or the use of lab and other expert professionals (consulting urologist, Family Practice or ER MD, etc.) should be considered when examining those reporting a crime and those suspected of one.
It is by questioning the status quo that we move ahead. It is by understanding the right thing to do versus the easier thing to do, that we can bravely take steps that just might make a difference in a case. If we contribute knowledge that helps the jury and the judge make the right decision, then we not only obtain professional and ethical excellence, but we also preserve our own peace of mind.
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Defense for the Defense...
Many forensic examiners perform sexual assault exams and then testify for the Prosecution in the resulting case. They testify as a fact witness regarding their exam process and/or they testify as an expert witness offering their opinion in the case. Few forensic nurse examiners offer their services testifying for the Defense.
I've asked some forensic nurses why they shy away from assisting the Defense. Some are afraid of conflict of interest and some feel they wouldn't do the Defense justice (believing the accused is guilty). Others see working for the Defense as an adversarial role against another practitioner.
As someone who frequently assists the Defense in cases, I feel no conflict of interest nor do I see the role as adversarial. The case is a case, like any other in the justice system. Both parties deserve to have the best information presented in court.
When I'm asked to assist the Defense in a case, I make it clear to the Defense that any information I provide is just as available to the Prosecution. I am an unbiased examiner with nothing to prove. I wish neither to exonerate the accused nor convict her or him. All I hope I can do is shed clarity on the case from an unbiased view.
In the course of reviewing a case, I do look over other the physician's or forensic nurse's examination and if there are pieces lacking I do point them out. If there are excellent credentials and documentation, I point that out as well. If it's an examiner's first time performing an exam, then I look at their training process, their education and professional experience and I explain on the stand that everyone has to have their very first 'solo' exam. How else would we get to be seasoned experts in the future?
The Prosecution has learned to ask me questions that knock out the suggestion that a 'first' exam is inadequate. I (personally) abhor a Defense approach that tries to highlight this, and try to extinguish it before it starts. What is most important is to ensure that the examiner has had the proper education, training and preceptorship to perform the exam. What is also important is to highlight that the forensic examiner/nurse was the person that performed the exam, not me. S/he was the one who saw the patient. S/he is the one who can best determine what it is they saw.
It is important however that forensic examiners are ethical concerning information they provide about their exam. I've personally heard forensic nurses testify they visualized 'sperm' in the vaginal vault without using a microscope. I've heard physicians testify that they are sure a patient was raped because of existing genital injury. Such statements are improper and not evidence based. There is no way to tell a patient was raped unless the examiner was actually there to visualize what happened. Even photographs and video can be misleading, and evidence can be planted just as easily as it can be absent. Objectivity and accuracy are key. Document only what you see. Make statements that contain scientific evidence, or state what you may have experienced anecdotally... but you must say it is 'in your experience' and not fact.
When I am contracted by the Defense, in addition to reviewing the forensic examiner's CV and the exam s/he performed, I review pretrial statements, photographs of not only the patient's physical examination but those of the crime scene. I review statements from investigators. I review statements from the accused. I obtain as much as I can of the patient's medical record including lab results and any medications the patient is taking. I also review the DNA and trace evidence obtained from the kit, and any toxicology results obtained from the plaintiff and/or the accused. It is essential to gather as much information as possible in order to present to the Defense, and to the courtroom, accurate information concerning the case from an unbiased perspective.
Serving as a Defense expert witness is both rewarding and eye opening and it will forever change how you personally look at a case. It will also improve how you practice. In many ways it is "peer review" on a legal stage, but that is nothing to be afraid of if you practice ethically and honestly.
Before you turn down a Defense case, think seriously on whether or not you should accept it. There are many supportive examiners who are willing to help you learn the role. Testifying for the Defense is not traversing the 'dark side' as many may elude. It is simply a path that exists on the other side of the coin.
And the courtroom is metal's the edge.
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
I've asked some forensic nurses why they shy away from assisting the Defense. Some are afraid of conflict of interest and some feel they wouldn't do the Defense justice (believing the accused is guilty). Others see working for the Defense as an adversarial role against another practitioner.
As someone who frequently assists the Defense in cases, I feel no conflict of interest nor do I see the role as adversarial. The case is a case, like any other in the justice system. Both parties deserve to have the best information presented in court.
When I'm asked to assist the Defense in a case, I make it clear to the Defense that any information I provide is just as available to the Prosecution. I am an unbiased examiner with nothing to prove. I wish neither to exonerate the accused nor convict her or him. All I hope I can do is shed clarity on the case from an unbiased view.
In the course of reviewing a case, I do look over other the physician's or forensic nurse's examination and if there are pieces lacking I do point them out. If there are excellent credentials and documentation, I point that out as well. If it's an examiner's first time performing an exam, then I look at their training process, their education and professional experience and I explain on the stand that everyone has to have their very first 'solo' exam. How else would we get to be seasoned experts in the future?
The Prosecution has learned to ask me questions that knock out the suggestion that a 'first' exam is inadequate. I (personally) abhor a Defense approach that tries to highlight this, and try to extinguish it before it starts. What is most important is to ensure that the examiner has had the proper education, training and preceptorship to perform the exam. What is also important is to highlight that the forensic examiner/nurse was the person that performed the exam, not me. S/he was the one who saw the patient. S/he is the one who can best determine what it is they saw.
It is important however that forensic examiners are ethical concerning information they provide about their exam. I've personally heard forensic nurses testify they visualized 'sperm' in the vaginal vault without using a microscope. I've heard physicians testify that they are sure a patient was raped because of existing genital injury. Such statements are improper and not evidence based. There is no way to tell a patient was raped unless the examiner was actually there to visualize what happened. Even photographs and video can be misleading, and evidence can be planted just as easily as it can be absent. Objectivity and accuracy are key. Document only what you see. Make statements that contain scientific evidence, or state what you may have experienced anecdotally... but you must say it is 'in your experience' and not fact.
When I am contracted by the Defense, in addition to reviewing the forensic examiner's CV and the exam s/he performed, I review pretrial statements, photographs of not only the patient's physical examination but those of the crime scene. I review statements from investigators. I review statements from the accused. I obtain as much as I can of the patient's medical record including lab results and any medications the patient is taking. I also review the DNA and trace evidence obtained from the kit, and any toxicology results obtained from the plaintiff and/or the accused. It is essential to gather as much information as possible in order to present to the Defense, and to the courtroom, accurate information concerning the case from an unbiased perspective.
Serving as a Defense expert witness is both rewarding and eye opening and it will forever change how you personally look at a case. It will also improve how you practice. In many ways it is "peer review" on a legal stage, but that is nothing to be afraid of if you practice ethically and honestly.
Before you turn down a Defense case, think seriously on whether or not you should accept it. There are many supportive examiners who are willing to help you learn the role. Testifying for the Defense is not traversing the 'dark side' as many may elude. It is simply a path that exists on the other side of the coin.
And the courtroom is metal's the edge.
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Getting Your Foot in the Door...
Many forensic nurses, or wanna-be forensic nurses, want the prestigious jobs to come their way at the drop of a hat. Just go to any forensic conference, and novices in forensic nursing dream out loud about starting their own businesses...hanging out their own shingles...before they've even obtained a modicum of education and experience.
Seasoned nurses also want the process to be easy, and many want to start making money as quickly as possible, and in some instances (for the very lucky) this dream becomes a reality. However, for the vast majority of nurses, this does not happen.
How DO you, as a forensic nurse, break into the forensic field? How do you start making any money at it? The truth is that a forensic business usually requires tons of networking, making contacts and establishing a name for yourself along the way. For many new to the business, getting the foot in the door comes with one simple word. "Volunteer."
Many years ago, I attended a forensic conference in which Dr Marcella Fierro (forensic pathologist) was speaking. I knew she was the Chief Medical Examiner at Richmond Virginia's Office of the Medical Examiner, and I'd always wanted to assist with autopsy. I approached her after the lecture and told her how much I would like to tour the ME office in Richmond. She gave me her card and told me to come anytime.
A few weeks later I took her up on the tour, and after we walked around the facility I asked her if I could perhaps volunteer at the morgue assisting with autopsy. I remember Dr Fierro looking me up and down, and asking me if I minded scrubbing floors and weighing bodies. I emphatically answered that I would be happy to do whatever they needed, and before I knew it, I was assisting the autopsy assistants with scut work on weekends. A couple of months later, one of the forensic pathologists asked an autopsy assistant to show me how to do the Y-incision on a body, and to let me assist them with the preliminary part of the autopsy...taking out the "block" (tongue, espophagus, lungs, heart...) It was one of the most exciting days of my life. I went from assisting the autopsy assistant to being the primary autopsy technician on a case, and I would ask the head autopsy technician for minor help when I got stuck or needed a fresh pair of eyes.
My point of this story is to reenforce that the "sweet" jobs don't usually come easy. Sometimes, if you are in the right place at the right time, or if you know somebody in the business, a job falls into your lap. Most of the time you have to work for it. But if you are willing to start at the bottom and learn the ropes, in most cases, the work will begin to come your way and you'll be given more opportunities to work in the area you'd like to. It also helps to be humble. Confident, but humble.
I recently moved to Ventura California two years ago. I'd approached the medical examiner twice to volunteer for autopsy, but the ME never contacted me back...essentially (non-verbally) telling me he wasn't in the market for volunteers. Just because I was unable to work with him didn't mean I stopped asking for volunteer work in other areas. The Ventura Police Department has just asked me to submit an application for their volunteer program, where (after I'm trained) I'll assist with fingerprinting and other scut work, and the LA Coronor's Office has taken my volunteer application for autopsy assisting and so I may be able to volunteer there on weekends. My overall take-home story is that if you want to break into the forensic world and actually work within the system, you are often going to have to pay your blood, sweat and tears first.
Keep in mind that of all of the professions, forensics and forensic nursing typically pays the least. Death Investigator saleries are anywhere from $25,000.00 to 48,000.00. Autopsy Technicians and/or Assistants have salaries ranging from $25,000.00 to $41,000.00. Both positions can be extremely difficult to break into, and many people stay in these positions for years. Other roles, such as legal nurse consultant (LNC) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) are easier to break into, and often make better money, but the attrition rate is high because of the call hours and additional duties required such as testifying in court, etc.
Whatever route you choose to take, remember that for most professionals it requires a large degree of committment, tenacity and patience. If you are up to the challenge, and willing to donate a good chunk of your time in volunteer work, you may eventually get that foot in the door and find yourself working in a career that most people only get to watch on T.V. You'll have to decide if the minimal pay, and (sometimes) health hazards are worth it, but if you are doing what you love then in most cases it certainly is. Best of luck on your forensic pathway, wherever it leads you...
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
Seasoned nurses also want the process to be easy, and many want to start making money as quickly as possible, and in some instances (for the very lucky) this dream becomes a reality. However, for the vast majority of nurses, this does not happen.
How DO you, as a forensic nurse, break into the forensic field? How do you start making any money at it? The truth is that a forensic business usually requires tons of networking, making contacts and establishing a name for yourself along the way. For many new to the business, getting the foot in the door comes with one simple word. "Volunteer."
Many years ago, I attended a forensic conference in which Dr Marcella Fierro (forensic pathologist) was speaking. I knew she was the Chief Medical Examiner at Richmond Virginia's Office of the Medical Examiner, and I'd always wanted to assist with autopsy. I approached her after the lecture and told her how much I would like to tour the ME office in Richmond. She gave me her card and told me to come anytime.
A few weeks later I took her up on the tour, and after we walked around the facility I asked her if I could perhaps volunteer at the morgue assisting with autopsy. I remember Dr Fierro looking me up and down, and asking me if I minded scrubbing floors and weighing bodies. I emphatically answered that I would be happy to do whatever they needed, and before I knew it, I was assisting the autopsy assistants with scut work on weekends. A couple of months later, one of the forensic pathologists asked an autopsy assistant to show me how to do the Y-incision on a body, and to let me assist them with the preliminary part of the autopsy...taking out the "block" (tongue, espophagus, lungs, heart...) It was one of the most exciting days of my life. I went from assisting the autopsy assistant to being the primary autopsy technician on a case, and I would ask the head autopsy technician for minor help when I got stuck or needed a fresh pair of eyes.
My point of this story is to reenforce that the "sweet" jobs don't usually come easy. Sometimes, if you are in the right place at the right time, or if you know somebody in the business, a job falls into your lap. Most of the time you have to work for it. But if you are willing to start at the bottom and learn the ropes, in most cases, the work will begin to come your way and you'll be given more opportunities to work in the area you'd like to. It also helps to be humble. Confident, but humble.
I recently moved to Ventura California two years ago. I'd approached the medical examiner twice to volunteer for autopsy, but the ME never contacted me back...essentially (non-verbally) telling me he wasn't in the market for volunteers. Just because I was unable to work with him didn't mean I stopped asking for volunteer work in other areas. The Ventura Police Department has just asked me to submit an application for their volunteer program, where (after I'm trained) I'll assist with fingerprinting and other scut work, and the LA Coronor's Office has taken my volunteer application for autopsy assisting and so I may be able to volunteer there on weekends. My overall take-home story is that if you want to break into the forensic world and actually work within the system, you are often going to have to pay your blood, sweat and tears first.
Keep in mind that of all of the professions, forensics and forensic nursing typically pays the least. Death Investigator saleries are anywhere from $25,000.00 to 48,000.00. Autopsy Technicians and/or Assistants have salaries ranging from $25,000.00 to $41,000.00. Both positions can be extremely difficult to break into, and many people stay in these positions for years. Other roles, such as legal nurse consultant (LNC) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) are easier to break into, and often make better money, but the attrition rate is high because of the call hours and additional duties required such as testifying in court, etc.
Whatever route you choose to take, remember that for most professionals it requires a large degree of committment, tenacity and patience. If you are up to the challenge, and willing to donate a good chunk of your time in volunteer work, you may eventually get that foot in the door and find yourself working in a career that most people only get to watch on T.V. You'll have to decide if the minimal pay, and (sometimes) health hazards are worth it, but if you are doing what you love then in most cases it certainly is. Best of luck on your forensic pathway, wherever it leads you...
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
The Face of Forensic Nursing in the Military...
As I left Montreal today, many thoughts weighed heavy on my mind. Foremost was the future of Forensic Nursing in the military.
Saturday, I attended a morning workshop on understanding ballistic patterns (entrance/exit wounds) in police shootings, whether they be self inflicted or police on suspect, or police on police. The speaker was a physician from Louisville Kentucky (Dr William Smock), who currently has four forensic nurses working on his staff. They contract with the local police department to assist in investigations of shootings when they occur. When he was done with his lecture, I was once again inundated with thoughts of what I already had instinctively known (and considered for years) in my military career. Military forensic nurses are a specialty that the Department of Defense needs to glean, grow, and utilize...not just for sexual assault cases (they currently refer most of their sexual assault cases out to civilian services)...but for other issues related to violence. Their expertise should be in every military treatment facility, and should be utilized for issues such as domestic violence, child abuse/assault, death investigation, aggravated assault and weapons assaults (to include shootings). I've pondered today why it is such a huge leap, and/or why the military seems unwilling to utilize such a viable amount of professional expertise. I think part of it is simply the unwillingness to believe in their own resources and expertise. To be sure, the military has strength in the fact that it can standardize it's medical-legal care, and even serve to be innovative and press forward with a profession that would put it on the map and simultaneously provide an answer to many of it's problems. Perhaps one day, the organization will take the leap. To be sure, my presentations seem to have fallen on deaf ears. They seem to slam flat in the face of 'chain of command'. Perhaps there just needs to be a champion. Someone at a higher level that can assist in these efforts. Until the military develops an expertise in clinical forensics and forensic nursing, and lets the profession grow... it will always fall short of its prevention and response programs.
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
Saturday, I attended a morning workshop on understanding ballistic patterns (entrance/exit wounds) in police shootings, whether they be self inflicted or police on suspect, or police on police. The speaker was a physician from Louisville Kentucky (Dr William Smock), who currently has four forensic nurses working on his staff. They contract with the local police department to assist in investigations of shootings when they occur. When he was done with his lecture, I was once again inundated with thoughts of what I already had instinctively known (and considered for years) in my military career. Military forensic nurses are a specialty that the Department of Defense needs to glean, grow, and utilize...not just for sexual assault cases (they currently refer most of their sexual assault cases out to civilian services)...but for other issues related to violence. Their expertise should be in every military treatment facility, and should be utilized for issues such as domestic violence, child abuse/assault, death investigation, aggravated assault and weapons assaults (to include shootings). I've pondered today why it is such a huge leap, and/or why the military seems unwilling to utilize such a viable amount of professional expertise. I think part of it is simply the unwillingness to believe in their own resources and expertise. To be sure, the military has strength in the fact that it can standardize it's medical-legal care, and even serve to be innovative and press forward with a profession that would put it on the map and simultaneously provide an answer to many of it's problems. Perhaps one day, the organization will take the leap. To be sure, my presentations seem to have fallen on deaf ears. They seem to slam flat in the face of 'chain of command'. Perhaps there just needs to be a champion. Someone at a higher level that can assist in these efforts. Until the military develops an expertise in clinical forensics and forensic nursing, and lets the profession grow... it will always fall short of its prevention and response programs.
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
Friday, October 21, 2011
The 19th Scientific Assembly: Forensic Nursing in the 21st Century 2011
From 19-22 October 2011, approximately 476 forensic nurses and physicians met at the Hyatt Regency Montreal Hotel in Montreal/Quebec Canada.
This trip really began, for me, after landing around 10:30PM at the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal. I was taken in a taxi, by "Mahmud" (originally from Lebanon, but who had come here as a reporter 37 years ago, and has one daughter who has borne 4 grandchildren...) to my hotel at the Travelodge across from the Hyatt. The Travelodge was half the cost of the Hyatt, and this conference was already beyond my budget.
The following are lectures/presentations I've attended the past few days:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
The morning keynote address by Helene Berman, RN, PhD was titled "Context Matters: Trajectories of Violence in the Lives of Girls".
Dr Berman's presentation was sobering in terms of considering how our North American culture continues to affect violence in our society. Movies, T.V. shows, Video Games inundate us with violence, desensitize us and depict acts of violence toward young girls, teens and older women. In her talk today, she discussed "gendered socialization", and how our culture needs to pay attention to the problem of violence in our communities. Her talk highlighted what most of us are already aware of, but brought the issue to the forefront. As she closed, she discussed the roles we, as forensic professionals, need to pay attention to methods of violence prevention in our society. What remains crystal clear, however, is that there is no distinct path, no easy road, to changing North American culture. There is no quick fix, no single answer, in order to solve this problem. The goal among all forensic nurses should be to become more involved in government/legislation, and work within local communities to educate communities concerning violence. The multilevel strategies we use to get there will hopefully not only leave long-lasting footprints for years to come, but blaze a pathway for a better world in the future.
Sessions I attended:
All in all, the conference has been both exhausting and invigorating. The time spent rising early in the morning coupled with jet lag and a few beers the night before, along with long hours sitting and listening to interesting presentations...still has taken a toll on my body. But the connections, the meeting of old friends and new, the stories and backgrounds of such wonderful professionals is enough to galvanize any said 'under-achiever' into action.
'Under-achiever' was a phrase I've heard often at the conference, although I think that anyone who's convened at this professional forum is far from an 'under-achiever'. Whether ADN/LPN, RN, NP or PhD/MD, each person is here to absorb information, share information, and each one is actively seeking ways to make valuable contributions to their communities in terms or violence prevention and/or response. Instead of professing (even jokingly) to be underachievers compared to our peers, let us each smile and simply congratulate each other on our activities and recognize those around us for their great efforts. Each of us makes our own contributions, whether seemingly great or small in society...and we never know the impact the slightest action may make. So be humble, all, and also know your self worth, and continue to make the world a better place one fingerprint, one footprint, one bit of trace evidence at at time.
~Cin
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
This trip really began, for me, after landing around 10:30PM at the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal. I was taken in a taxi, by "Mahmud" (originally from Lebanon, but who had come here as a reporter 37 years ago, and has one daughter who has borne 4 grandchildren...) to my hotel at the Travelodge across from the Hyatt. The Travelodge was half the cost of the Hyatt, and this conference was already beyond my budget.
The following are lectures/presentations I've attended the past few days:
Wednesday:
- Assessing Drug Ingestions: Toxidromes and Toxicology
- Do Come Over, Someone Has Killed Father (The Crime Scene Discussion of Lizzie Borden)
- The Coroner's Inquest: The Impact of Death Investigation on Prevention
- Motor Vehicle Collision Investigation and Reconstruction: Role of the Forensic Nurse
Thursday:
- Implementing a Clinical Forensic Nursing Program: Beyond the Obvious
- Bridging the Gap to Excellence. A Holistic Approach to Forensic-Medical Care in Military Treatment Facilities
- GHB Addiction
- Forensic Nurses Performing QI Studies in Forensic, Criminal Justice, and Investigative Settings
The morning keynote address by Helene Berman, RN, PhD was titled "Context Matters: Trajectories of Violence in the Lives of Girls".
Dr Berman's presentation was sobering in terms of considering how our North American culture continues to affect violence in our society. Movies, T.V. shows, Video Games inundate us with violence, desensitize us and depict acts of violence toward young girls, teens and older women. In her talk today, she discussed "gendered socialization", and how our culture needs to pay attention to the problem of violence in our communities. Her talk highlighted what most of us are already aware of, but brought the issue to the forefront. As she closed, she discussed the roles we, as forensic professionals, need to pay attention to methods of violence prevention in our society. What remains crystal clear, however, is that there is no distinct path, no easy road, to changing North American culture. There is no quick fix, no single answer, in order to solve this problem. The goal among all forensic nurses should be to become more involved in government/legislation, and work within local communities to educate communities concerning violence. The multilevel strategies we use to get there will hopefully not only leave long-lasting footprints for years to come, but blaze a pathway for a better world in the future.
Sessions I attended:
- Scene Investigations: Evidence Recognition, Protection and Documentation.
- Blending Forensic Nursing and Army Public Health Nursing to Aid in Eradicating Interpersonal Violence
- Confronting Youth Gangs as a Forensic Nurse
- (My own presentation): Interpersonal Safety of U.S. Military Women in the Deployed Environment of Afghanistan: A Grounded Theory Approach
All in all, the conference has been both exhausting and invigorating. The time spent rising early in the morning coupled with jet lag and a few beers the night before, along with long hours sitting and listening to interesting presentations...still has taken a toll on my body. But the connections, the meeting of old friends and new, the stories and backgrounds of such wonderful professionals is enough to galvanize any said 'under-achiever' into action.
'Under-achiever' was a phrase I've heard often at the conference, although I think that anyone who's convened at this professional forum is far from an 'under-achiever'. Whether ADN/LPN, RN, NP or PhD/MD, each person is here to absorb information, share information, and each one is actively seeking ways to make valuable contributions to their communities in terms or violence prevention and/or response. Instead of professing (even jokingly) to be underachievers compared to our peers, let us each smile and simply congratulate each other on our activities and recognize those around us for their great efforts. Each of us makes our own contributions, whether seemingly great or small in society...and we never know the impact the slightest action may make. So be humble, all, and also know your self worth, and continue to make the world a better place one fingerprint, one footprint, one bit of trace evidence at at time.
~Cin
*****
*Disclaimer: This blog is solely the opinions and experiences expressed by the author and in no way reflects the opinions, policies or beliefs of the U.S. Government, the DoD or United States Navy.
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