Posts Tagged ‘Legal Standards’

Forensic Cases in the Emergency Department

December 30, 2008

As a long time employee of the ED, this chapter really perked me up. This entire Forensic Nursing course taught by Dr. J Johnson has made a tremendous impact, I think, as I tend to turn a jaundiced eye toward an ever-increasing number of cases that before might have slipped under the wire. Of particular interest was the list of potentialities in Box 53-1: a. Domestic violence, abuse, or neglect (child, spouse, partner, elder abuse) b. Trauma (nonaccidental or suspicious, and accidental injuries with third-party payer implications) c. Vehicular and automobile versus pedestrian accidents d. Substance abuse e. Attempted suicide or homicide f. Occupational injuries g. Environmental hazard incidents (fire, smoke inhalation, toxic chemical exposures, etc.) h. Victims of terrorism or violent crime i. Illegal abortion practices j. Supervised care injuries k. Public health hazards l. Involvement of firearms or other weapons m. Prominent individuals or celebrities n. Unidentified individuals o. Damaged or improperly used equipment p. Poisoning, illegal drugs, or overdose q. Anyone in police custody for any reason r. Sudden, unexpected, or suspicious deaths s. Sexual assault and abuse. References Lynch, Virginia A. and Duval, Janet Barber. (2006). Forensic Nursing. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby

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Role of the Expert Witness

December 30, 2008

a. A fact witness testifies to direct observations made. b. He or she does not offer expert opinions or draw conclusions from reports but may offer opinion and certainly clarify information. c. In order to become an expert witness, the nurses has to answer questions regarding training, experience and specialized knowledge. A curriculum vita is helpful. d. The nurse specialist must have expertise, trustworthiness and presentational style to have credibility. e. Expertise is established by one’s credentials, including academic background, professional training, experience, and professional association. f. Trustworthiness as perceived by the judge or jury is the degree of honesty in one’s demeanor and opinion. The jury perceives the witness as trustworthy if he or she remains calm, unruffled and cooperative. g. Presentational style includes dress, demeanor and the ability to communicate. h. The presentation should be forth succinctly, clearly, thoughtfully and professionally. i. Dress should be conservative. References Lynch, Virginia A. and Duval, Janet Barber. (2006). Forensic Nursing. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby

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