Forensic Evidence Collection

Course Summary

Specially trained forensic health team members are often the first-response of medical care and crisis intervention for vulnerable victims of sexual assault and physical abuse. Increasingly, state jurisdictions are requiring some health professionals in a variety of health settings to be specifically trained to provide health care to victims of sexual assault. These specially trained medical and nursing staff also liaise with other health, law enforcement, and legal professionals to ensure that timely and appropriate documentation and forensic evidence is collected to improve outcomes for victims. These specially trained health professionals are invaluable with assisting in the legal requirements related to the prosecution of violent offenders. The development of forensic healthcare is discussed, with a specific case focus on Texas law as it pertains to forensic nursing in sexual assault cases, found in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Act, Texas Government Code, section 420.001, et seq.