Nursing Specialties
Forensic Nurse

Forensic Nurse

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What is a Forensic Nurse

Forensic nurses manage and provide care to those who have experienced violence, trauma, and abuse. They apply nursing knowledge to be used to deliver justice through our legal system.  Forensic nurses work with victims, medical and health facilities, community centers, law enforcement, and the judicial system. They are part crime investigators, and healthcare providers joined together to deliver a unique contribution to patient care. 

Forensic nurses possess a special type of compassion that permits them to provide emotional support to victims while keeping the task of gathering evidence needed by law enforcement at the forefront. They are sensitive to the patient’s needs but are cognizant that the way they can help the most is to assess what will be required to carefully develop a case.  

Some forensic nurses focus on sexual assault and become members of a team investigating those crimes. They acquire special training and certification to assist adults and children with these traumatic injuries. Human trafficking victims or others who have been neglected are often seen and managed by forensic nurses.   

Forensic nurses often receive advanced training to improve their skills. Some become certified as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). Others become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) or clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) specializing in forensic or mental health.

What does a Forensic Nurse Do?

Forensic nurses’ roles depend on what setting they work in.  Forensic nurses may examine prisoners in correctional facilities and gather evidence from those who have encountered violence to be administered in court. They interview patients being mindful that many have mental illness and have difficulty responding or may react irrationally to their questioning.  

Some forensic nurses are involved in community or nonprofit anti-violence groups. They may be asked to provide lectures and reach out directly by planning awareness programs. 

Forensic nurses often work in the ED to help examine those who have experienced sexual assaults or other violence. They gather evidence during the exam and comfort the victim and their families. 

In the medical examiner’s office, forensic nurses may assist coroners in examining victims’ bodies to help determine the cause of death. Some forensic nurses are asked to testify as expert witnesses in court cases. 

Forensic Nurse

What skills does a Forensic Nurse need?

Forensic nurses must have excellent communication skills. They are responsible for thoroughly interviewing patients and others who may be involved in crimes being investigated. At the same time, they must be sensitive to the emotional and psychological state of the victim or person being questioned.

They need to be precise in their documentation and meticulously collect any evidence to be admissible in court. 

Forensic nurses need to be compassionate in a way that exceeds regular empathy. They interact with patients and families who have experienced horrendous injuries or losses. They must be skilled in determining the right way to comfort these victims and, at the same time, protect themselves from emotional stress.

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What skills does a Forensic Nurse need?

Forensic nurses must have excellent communication skills. They are responsible for thoroughly interviewing patients and others who may be involved in crimes being investigated. At the same time, they must be sensitive to the emotional and psychological state of the victim or person being questioned.

They need to be precise in their documentation and meticulously collect any evidence to be admissible in court. 

Forensic nurses need to be compassionate in a way that exceeds regular empathy. They interact with patients and families who have experienced horrendous injuries or losses. They must be skilled in determining the right way to comfort these victims and, at the same time, protect themselves from emotional stress.

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Forensic Nurses

Work settings for Forensic Nurses

Forensic nurses work in correctional facilities, emergency departments, law enforcement, coroner & medical examiner's offices, and community services organizations (Sexual Assault Response Teams).

Common Cases Forensic Nurses Encounter

  • Sexual assault victims
  • Abuse
  • Neglect: elder and child
  • Domestic violence
  • Psychiatric or patients with special mental needs

How to Become A Forensic Nurse

  1. Complete an ADN or BSN program in nursing
  2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license
  3. Have two years of experience working as an RN
  4. Take courses in Forensic nursing to advance your knowledgebase
  5. Apply to work as a Forensic Nurse examiner through private organizations or hospitals
  6. Apply for Sexual Assault Certification (SANE) or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC)

How to Advance Your Career As A Forensic Nurse

You can advance your career by getting an MSN or doctoral degree with a forensic nursing focus. Alternatively, if you have already become an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), you can obtain an Advanced Practice Forensic Nursing (APFN) Certificate or seek more education in mental health as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

Education Requirements & Helpful Certification

Forensic nurses are BCLS certified, and it is highly encouraged that they become additionally certified after gaining experience.   

There are two sexual assault certifications through the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification (CFNC):

• SANE-A: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Adult/Adolescent)

• SANE-P: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Pediatric)

To be eligible to take either exam, you:

  1. Need two or more years of practice as an RN (SANE-A) / 3 years’ practice as an RN (SANE-P). 
  2. Completion of a minimum 40-hr SANE didactic course offered by an accredited provider
  3. Completion of a SANE clinical preceptorship
  4. Accrual of 300 hours of SANE-related practice within the past three years (at least 200 hours with the intended exam population)

Forensic Nursing Specialist Certification Program:  

  1. Must hold a current/valid license to practice as a professional registered nurse.
  2. Complete an RN education program to prepare for the practice of Forensic Nursing.
  3. Complete the 230 contact hours of continuing education program by The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc. 

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC)

Average Salary For Forensic Nurses

Forensic nurses typically make between $53,118 - $92,815, with a median salary of $68,725, according to Salary.com.

The May 2021 Bureau of Labor and Statistics report shows which states have the highest and lowest wages for nurses. They do not list by nurse specialty, but forensic nurse salaries would likely follow suit. The highest-paid states are California, Hawaii, and Oregon. The lowest-paid states are South Dakota, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Specialty Organizations & Communities

International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)

Academy of Forensic Nursing

Ideal Personality Traits

  • Calm demeanor with patients and families
  • Strong investigative skills to dig below the surface for causes of injuries
  • Good observation skills to accurately report and photograph injuries
  • Strict technique skills in collecting evidence (chain of custody)
  • Excellent communication to assist patients with psychological and emotional needs
  • Interest in law and how it applies to healthcare
  • Independent thinker
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Forensic Nurse

Forensic nurses care for patients of any age who have been victims of some violent or traumatic crime. They are skilled at delivering compassionate care to those who have been abused, neglected, or sexually assaulted. Forensic nurses collect evidence to be examined and must use their investigative skills to evaluate the accuracy of the clinical history. 

Forensic nurses have a strong interest in law enforcement. They may be involved in providing expert testimony in court. They often work with pathologists and coroners to help determine the cause of death. Additionally, forensic nurses participate in activities to prevent violent criminal activities and often branch in disciplines involving forensic psychiatric nursing or death investigation.

nurse with mask on

Education Requirements

Forensic nurses are BCLS certified, and it is highly encouraged that they become additionally certified after gaining experience.   

There are two sexual assault certifications through the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification (CFNC):

• SANE-A: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Adult/Adolescent)

• SANE-P: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Pediatric)

To be eligible to take either exam, you:

  1. Need two or more years of practice as an RN (SANE-A) / 3 years’ practice as an RN (SANE-P). 
  2. Completion of a minimum 40-hr SANE didactic course offered by an accredited provider
  3. Completion of a SANE clinical preceptorship
  4. Accrual of 300 hours of SANE-related practice within the past three years (at least 200 hours with the intended exam population)

Forensic Nursing Specialist Certification Program:  

  1. Must hold a current/valid license to practice as a professional registered nurse.
  2. Complete an RN education program to prepare for the practice of Forensic Nursing.
  3. Complete the 230 contact hours of continuing education program by The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc. 

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC)

How to advance/career pathway

You can advance your career by getting an MSN or doctoral degree with a forensic nursing focus. Alternatively, if you have already become an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), you can obtain an Advanced Practice Forensic Nursing (APFN) Certificate or seek more education in mental health as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Treat and assess patient's physical injuries, often performed in the ER
  • Provide emotional and psychosocial support to the victims of violent crimes, their families, and significant others
  • Take unbiased, accurate history regarding the events that occurred and who was involved
  • Collect and preserve evidence (chain of custody) to make sure it is admissible in court (e.g., physical swabs, samples, victim's clothing, bullet(s), etc.)
  • Assist with documentation of those in the morgue
  • Work with coroners, pathologists, and law enforcement

MOST COMMON CASES

  • Sexual assault victims
  • Abuse
  • Neglect: elder and child
  • Domestic violence
  • Psychiatric or patients with special mental needs

How to become a

Forensic Nurse

  1. Complete an ADN or BSN program in nursing
  2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license
  3. Have two years of experience working as an RN
  4. Take courses in Forensic nursing to advance your knowledgebase
  5. Apply to work as a Forensic Nurse examiner through private organizations or hospitals
  6. Apply for Sexual Assault Certification (SANE) or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC)

Specialty Groups and Communities

International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)

Academy of Forensic Nursing

The Pros

  • Able to provide guidance and reassurance to patients and their families
  • ‍Advocate for patients to help them make individual choices and decisions to meet their level of comfort‍
  • Work collaboratively with the forensic team providers both in healthcare and law‍
  • Changing caseloads of complex cases involves both physical and mental challenges

The Cons

  • Specific focus on traumatic care limits exposure to general medical conditions
  • Stressful, since patients are dealing with the types of injuries that are personal and emotionally difficult
  • Some of the patients have disturbing injuries which are difficult to work with
smily face illustration

Personality Traits

  • Calm demeanor with patients and families
  • Strong investigative skills to dig below the surface for causes of injuries
  • Good observation skills to accurately report and photograph injuries
  • Strict technique skills in collecting evidence (chain of custody)
  • Excellent communication to assist patients with psychological and emotional needs
  • Interest in law and how it applies to healthcare
  • Independent thinker
piggy bank illustration

Average Salary

Forensic nurses typically make between $53,118 - $92,815, with a median salary of $68,725, according to Salary.com.

The May 2021 Bureau of Labor and Statistics report shows which states have the highest and lowest wages for nurses. They do not list by nurse specialty, but forensic nurse salaries would likely follow suit. The highest-paid states are California, Hawaii, and Oregon. The lowest-paid states are South Dakota, Alabama, and Mississippi.

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Certifications

International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) 

Academy of Forensic Nursing

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Work Setting

Forensic nurses work in correctional facilities, emergency departments, law enforcement, coroner & medical examiner's offices, and community services organizations (Sexual Assault Response Teams).

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