Forensic Nurse Expert Witness | Forensic Services | Forensic Nurse Training | Medical Case Reviews | Medicolegal Death Investigator
What is the difference between a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) and a Forensic Nurse?
A forensic nurse differs slightly from a SANE nurse in the training and abilities for other situations. Forensic nurses are trained to work with many different aspects of violence such as; patients in police custody, sexual assault, chill maltreatment, intimate partner violences, and elder abuse, automobile trauma, and medical malpractice.
Both can collect, preserve and maintain evidence, testify in court, and work with the community to spread awareness of violence.
Sexual Assault Statistics:
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), every 60 seconds, and American is sexual assaulted and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. According to NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center), 1 in 5 women experience a completed or attempted sexual assault in their lifetime, and nearly 1 in 4 men experience a sexual assault between the ages of 11 and 17.
What is a Medicolegal Death Investigator?
The role of the medicolegal death investigator is to investigate any death that falls under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner or coroner, including all suspicious, violent, unexplained and unexpected deaths. The medicolegal death investigator is responsible for the dead person, whereas the local law enforcement jurisdiction is responsible for the scene. The medicolegal death investigator performs scene investigations emphasizing information developed from the decedent and determines the extent to which further investigation is necessary. Medicolegal death investigators should have a combination of education and skills encompassing areas of medicine and law.
What is a forensic nurse?
Forensic nurses are healthcare professionals who apply nursing principles and scientific techniques using evidenced based practice to bridge medical components and legal aspects to provide competent and appropriate care to victims and suspects of crime, abuse, and trauma. Forensic nurses are trauma-informed medical professionals who treat all patients holistically with compassion and empathy to provide medical care, document injuries, collect evidence, provide resources, and provide emotional support.
*^There are precise skills that are imperative for forensic nurses. Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) must have excellent communication skills. One of the main components of their role is to provide a thorough interview of patients and others who may be involved in a potential crime. They must remain unbiased, calm, sensitive, and empathetic to the patients emotional, physical, and mental state. FNE’s must be able to meticulously document injuries, objective data, and subjective data that may be useful in court proceedings.
The role of the forensic nurse depends on the setting they are assigned to. Many FNE’s begin their career as a SANE nurse practicing in a hospital setting. There are also community-based programs that are located in rural areas to provide care in areas with small hospitals and/or areas of need.
Using Training, Knowledge and Experience to bring Clarity:
As a Federal Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) that specialized in Special Victims Unit (SVU) criminal investigations, I had the privilege of collaborating with numerous Forensic Nurse Managers (FNM) at Level 1 Trauma Centers throughout the United States. It is without any doubt that Mrs. Gina Dyer-Goss’ compassion, attention to detail, knowledge, and willingness to share her expertise are unmatched. Thus, my working relationship with Mrs. Dyer-Goss was the longest tenured and most fruitful relationship I shared with any FNM. I worked with Mrs. Dyer-Goss in the Columbia, SC area for 8 years until I retired in 2023. Mrs. Dyer-Goss has an uncanny ability to connect with trauma victims and professionals in the field. She was always willing to be of assistance, including after normal business hours. It was my pleasure working alongside Mrs. Dyer-Goss, who I consider not just a colleague but a friend.
~Rev. Anthony T. Thompson, Retired SVU SSA & Founder of Anthony T. Thompson
Investigative Consulting & Training, LLC.
It is with pleasure I recommend Gina Goss for consideration of partnership with your company. On numerous occasions, while working in conjunction with Gina, she has proven to be a very valuable asset. Gina exudes an impeccable work ethic, professionalism, and dedication. Her commitment to serving the needs of the public, victims, families, and her colleagues is clearly shown in her everyday duties and encounters.
I have known Gina for six years in my capacities as Coroner of Lancaster County. Her professional expertise has provided key, detailed information necessary for the investigation. Gina always presents herself in a very confident and composed manner. She prides herself on achieving all goals put before her.
Gina distinguishes herself by exceeding expectations of tasks at hand. She takes her education, experience, and training very seriously and applies it in a manner that sets an example for others. Gina is extremely valuable to her profession and committed to promoting education to others.
Lancaster County Coroner,
Karla Knight Deese