SS-2005
FORENSIC EVIDENCE COLLECTION IN THE CLINICAL SETTING
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Principles and techniques of evidence collection and documentation in the hospital or other clinical setting are presented. Emphasis will be given to various types of evidence related to traumatic injuries, including those associated with abuse and neglect of children and elders. Step-by-step procedures for collecting and packaging of biological specimens, preserving the chain-of-custody, and, safeguarding against spoliation or tampering with evidence will be emphasized. Photo-documentation of evidentiary items and legal requirements for admissible evidence are also being considered.
AUTHORS' BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Pamela A. Assid started her nursing career in 1995 after graduating as the #1 Distinguished Graduate from her USAF ROTC class at Texas Christian University. While on active duty with the Air Force, in 1997, she completed a Master's degree at the University of Wyoming and in 1999, received the Forensic Nursing Graduate Certificate from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Capitalizing on her forensic nursing education, Pam created the first abuse and neglect protocols for the USAF. After her most recent deployment to the Middle East, Pam transitioned to the USAF Reserve and established her own independent legal nurse and forensic nursing consulting firm, IPR Medical Legal Consulting, LLC. She has written legal nursing articles for nationally recognized publications such as The Journal of Emergency Nursing and Topics in Emergency Medicine, and has traveled the country lecturing to nursing leadership and management about forensic nursing protocols and standards of care. In addition to her extensive emergency nursing and critical care backgrounds, Pam has created and taught online courses including Child Maltreatment, Elder Mistreatment, Basic Evidence Collection and Documentation, and Patterned Injuries through Greenville Technical College.
She was a contributing author for Virginia A. Lynch's textbook, Forensic Nursing, and, an editor for the Emergency Nurses' Association revised Core Curriculum. Pam is a not only a highly respected clinical manager at her civilian hospital, she is also the Chief Nurse for a new USAF Reserve medical squadron. Her numerous distinctions include the USAF Meritorious Service Medal and the USAF Academy's 2006 Individual Mobilization Augmentee Award. She is an active teacher for emergency nursing and disaster preparedness courses within her community and serves on a city council/county commission advisory board related to children and families, specifically offering advice on neglect and maltreatment issues within the local area. Pam is an active member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses, the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, and the Society of Air Force Nurses.
Faye Battiste-Otto obtained licensure as a registered nurse in St. John's, Newfoundland, thereafter immigrating to the United States and settling in Southern California where she initially distinguished herself in the applied nursing skill and management of emergency room medicine.
She has essentially devoted her professional nursing endeavors to forensic science as a career choice, using her many talents to create practical opportunities in the field. Since 1983, commencing with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department in Riverside County, California, USA, her company, American Forensic Nurses, has been providing a variety of mobile forensic evidence collection services to many of the major law enforcement agencies in Southern California. As the company grew, she expanded those services to include the examination of child and adult victims of sexual assault and abuse; in doing so establishing the first privately owned American company providing mobile forensic services to public entities. Through her vast experience and forensic training, she has developed many policies and procedures in the arena of evidence collection.
Through her production company, WNS Productions, she has created and produced, a one hour training DVD, The Sexual Assault Examination: Essential Forensic Techniques and Instructional Reference Guide. This DVD and training manual are specifically designed for professionals who are involved in sexual assault investigations and who conduct sexual assault medical forensic examinations. This indispensable DVD and training manual, describing the professional collection of forensic evidence from victims of sexual assault, is widely used as a training tool in domestic and foreign hospitals.
Her commitment to the expansion of education in forensic science led to the creation of the American Institute of Forensic Education, Inc., an online educational forum, dedicated to the advancement of forensic science; presenting comprehensive professional programs authored and taught by a faculty internationally recognized in the field of forensic science. Mrs. Otto is currently president of the American Institute of Forensic Education.
She has developed other professional and informational websites related to the field of forensic science and is forever expanding her knowledge and skill in this specialty.
As one of the founding members and former Director of the International Association of Forensic Nurses; and in recognition of her achievements and contributions as a pioneer in the field, she has received the prestigious Pioneer Award in Forensic Nursing, presented by the Association. In addition to her duties as President and CEO of American Forensic Nurses, Inc. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation headquartered in Sacramento, California.
OBJECTIVES
Describe what constitutes evidence.
Utilize body diagrams, photo-documentation and precise terminology to document evidence in accordance with forensic standards.
State proper procedures for collecting various types of evidence, from biological to material collection.
Outline steps for maintaining the chain-of-custody for forensic evidence in the clinical setting.
List ways to avoid contamination or spoliation of evidence that would affect admissibility in a court of law.
Identify issues associated with evidence collection practices in special
populations.
WHO MAY TAKE THIS COURSE
Content is appropriate for any individual who wishes to understand the roles and responsibilities of healthcare personnel in regard to forensic evidentiary management in the Emergency Department or other clinical setting. Basic principles and techniques of evidence collection will be especially pertinent for nurses or physicians who have specified duties to identify, collect and safeguard forensic evidence identified within the clinical setting.
PREREQUISITES
There are no prerequisites for this course.
AVAILABLILITY
Upon Demand
CONTACT HOURS
4-continuing education hours
DURATION
This course is self-paced; however, all course requirements must be completed within 6 months of enrollment.
PRESENTATION METHOD
This online course is presented in a downloadable PDF format and may include media files, (student may be required to download free corresponding media players.) Course content format may also include assignments, case studies, multiple choice and/or true or false statements.
TEACHING METHOD
This is a downloadable self-paced home study course. Interim key point prompts are included throughout the course to highlight and reinforce vital information. The Multiple-Choice course examination will be taken online after completion of all other course requirements.
METHOD OF COURSE GRADING
Pass/fail grading system. Course examination is multiple choice. When a score of less than 70% is received, the examination may be taken one time without charge. For further information regarding additional retakes of the examination, contact amerforensi@linkline.com
METHOD OF COURSE EVALUATION
After successful completion of the course study and examination with a passing score of 70%, an evaluation shall be completed and submitted to amerforensi@linkline.com
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Upon completion of the course study, examination with a passing score of 70% and evaluation, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion via email.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
All readings have been incorporated in the coursework materials.
SUGGESTED COURSE MATERIALS
There are no suggested course materials.
OTHER RELATED COURSES
Chain of Custody, Forensic Blood Specimen Collection and Handling, Evidence Collection in the Emergency Department, The Sexual Assault Examination: Adult and Adolescent, Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training Program, Identification of Patterned Injuries, Child Maltreatment: An Introductory Course, Elder Mistreatment: An Introductory Course, Documentation and Communication: Forensic Issues for Healthcare in the Digital Era
COURSE FEE
$99.00 (or US equivalent)
Note: Upon receipt and processing of course payment, the student will receive an email with payment confirmation, link to the course PDF file, online examination and evaluation.
All courses and materials are based on United States laws and regulations unless otherwise noted. Laws vary from state to state.
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