A new trend is the development of Forensic Care Programs in emergency departments. These programs tend to be an expansion of Sexual Assault Nurse examiner programs. In a Forensic Care Program, sexual assault nurse examiners respond to all victims of violence who present to the emergency department, including adult and pediatric sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, intimate partner and other interpersonal violence, and gun violence.

The nurses provide forensic injury examination and documentation, forensic evidence recovery, and photodocumentation of injuries and wounds. These programs allow the primary team caring for the patient to focus on the patient’s medical needs, while the experts handle the forensic needs. These teams work hand in hand with medical providers, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system. Some examples of Forensic Care Programs include Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, N.C.; St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, Mo.; and Christiana Care, Newark, Del.

As emergency physicians, we treat victims of violence and crime every day. Our care has a great impact on the patient and their outcome. Forensic knowledge should be part of the routine care we provide to the victims we treat. For more information, see ACEP’s Forensic Medicine Section.

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