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Forensic Nurse Investigator

Forensic nursing, just like regular nursing is divided up into several smaller specialties. Nurses wanting to get an education in forensics have the opportunity to pick one or more of these specialties that they prefer the most.

Here are three of those smaller specialties:

Forensic Nurse Investigator

These nurses go by different titles, such as deputy coroner, forensic nurse investigator, or death investigator. Nurses are highly regarded for their medical background, investigative abilities and record keeping/documentation skills that they bring.

Forensic nurse investigators may be called to a crime scene or accident to work with detectives, collect evidence, and take tissue and blood samples. Forensic nurses treat survivors of assaults or violent accidents, and victims of negligence, abuse, or violent crimes. The job is fast-paced and exciting, with real issues at stake.

There's a lot of responsibility that comes with this career. If working in a coroner's office, the nurses work on a schedule in the office along with taking on call time. Responsibilities for the forensic nurse investigator include responding to the scene, collaborating with detectives, examining the body, taking blood and tissue samples, photographing the body at the scene as well as the scene itself, keeping good records and arranging for the body to be taken to the morgue for autopsy. The help with autopsies and work side by side with the forensic pathologist in collecting evidence.

Forensics Program Spotlight

Earn as much as $55-300/hour as a Forensic Nurse. Kaplan University offers accredited self-study online forensic nursing courses that can be completed in just 4 months.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner

This nurse responds to notification of sexual assault, usually by the emergency room staff and obtains a preliminary history, conducts an in-depth interview and conducts the physical, including a pelvic exam to collect appropriate evidence.

The sexual assult nurse examiner maintains a verified chain of evidence and collaborates with law enforcement officials, which may include testifying in court. The role includes victim education regarding sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy risks and provides referrals for follow-up care.

The first SANE programs started in the mid 1970's but it wasn't until the late 1980's that the programs got a major growth spurt as they grew more rapidly in the 1990's when localities started to see the benefits of what these SANE programs have to offer. And by 1996, there were approximately 70 programs in existence.

Death Investigator

A death investigator is the first person at the crime scene with a forensic background. They must have a knowledgeable background in forensics to be able to approximate the time of death.

For nurses that want to get into CSI, they can become crime scene and death investigators. Nurses make exceptional CSI's because they know the terminology, techniques, and pick up on signs of medical problems with the victim. Picking up on pre-existing medical problems in victims are easily noticed by a nurse, that might not be so easily noticed by a law enforcement officer.

Become a Certified Forensic Nurse

The following schools offer criminal justice degrees which can help you gain the skills to become an Forensic NurseInvestigator. We recommend getting information from several colleges so you can compare the programs, costs, time commitments and financial aid options.

Professional Certificate - Forensic Nursing
Kaplan University - Work with law enforcement to collect evidence at crime and accident scenes. Care for survivors of assaults or violent accidents, and victims of negligence, abuse, or violent crimes. Forensic nurses may identify injuries and/or death and their causes, preserve and document the chain of custody, and refer victims for appropriate follow-up care.

Typical Workplaces:
Hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and independent practice.

Potential Earnings:
As much as $55 to $300 per hour.*

*Based on a survey of International Association of Forensic Nurses members. [ Request Information ]

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Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology
Argosy University Online - As a MA in Forensic Psychology graduate student, you will gain the professional skills required to compete for titled roles such as: clinical psychologists, juvenile counselors, government agents, counselors, therapists, law enforcement agents and educators. [ Request Information ]

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Crime Scene Investigation
Kaplan University - Learn about the practices and tools used to analyze and measure crime and explore the processes of psychological profiling, crime mapping, and intelligence gathering. This emphasis area focuses on the skills and techniques essential to crime analysis. [ Request Information ]

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Larry Ford runs a website providing information for forensic nursing. You can find it at http://www.forensicnursingzone.com.

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