How Do Nurse Practitioners Aid Law Enforcement and Legal Professionals

When it comes to the law, there are many layers to it. Criminals can strike at any time. In the process of committing a crime, they may carry out vile and heinous activities. The legal system can’t act alone. When they’re investigating criminal charges, to get the complete picture, they need medical evidence. In such cases, a nurse practitioner comes extremely handy. These professionals know the ins and outs of a human body. So if the legal system is struggling to find a motive, they can turn to nurses to help them. It is essential to understand that nurse practitioners hold both the skill and qualifications to help. It’s not their knowledge alone but the way they tackle cases to support the legal jargon. If you wish to know ways nurse practitioners work. Here’s what you need to know:

• They Work with Victims

Victims can go through traumatizing cases of assault. Unfortunately, while they’re not in a condition to relay the horror, their statement is essential. In such cases, a forensic nurse can intervene and check on them. They can help them come out of their adrenaline rush as well as subside their panic. While nurses may not treat them directly, they can help victims gain some composure. They do these through gentle counseling and an empathetic approach to their plight. Once they feel the victim is calm and has collected their bearings, they call law enforcement back.

Moreover, a forensic nurse is an Advanced Practice Nurse who has received specific education and training. The demand for these forensic nurses is increasing rapidly, and the forensic nurse salary is attractive, mainly due to the high level of work they perform. That is why more individuals are attracting to this field to get a specialized degree and upgrade their careers.

• They Work with Perpetrators

One of the court’s rulings is to judge whether a criminal is sane or not. If they have trouble understanding basic concepts, they may need help. It’s not easy to sit with a criminal and work out what they’re going through. It’s also not easy to provide counseling knowing these perpetrators can manipulate you. However, the care and support these forensic nurses offer are essential. The legal system needs feedback on how far the nurse progressed with the culprit. If there is significant progress, there may be another court case.

• Investigating Bodies

Forensic nurses work with investigating bodies. When a case happens, the legal team needs a complete picture of what happened. These professionals know how to follow a detailed route when looking at a victim. They can follow bruises, marks, body fluids and even collect their samples. A body that goes for forensics analysis needs a detailed study. From the tip of the fingernails to the sequence of eyelashes, they all need proper documentation.

• Test the Samples

When collecting samples from a victim’s body, nurses need to pay attention. Samples can get contaminated if they do not get handled properly. To make matters worse. There is a minimal margin of mistakes allowed. Body fluids such as the culprit’s semen need proper handling, or they can contaminate. There also can’t be mistakes while swabbing the victim. If the swab is improper, going back again may not be possible. Nurses will then carry on a range of tests. If the legal team wants to know the identity, they’ll do a DNA test. If the legal team wants to know other details like the disease and condition of the victim, they can test those too.

• Documenting the Evidence

The way a law enforcer writes reports and the way a nurse writes one is vastly different. Nurses have a more detailed take on what happened. Law enforcement, on the other hand, may superficially mention what they see. The evidence these professionals draft is essential. It removes doubts and confusion about a case. It also removes inconsistency in stories. In addition, the report can point out the cause of death and how long it happened. All of these details matter to the court. These determine the trajectory of the case.

• Can Act as Medical Testimony

The legal system works through the basis of arguments and logical deduction. So if the medical details of a case get discussed, a nurse can provide a proper walkthrough. Legal issues happen before a jury. Most of these members are civilians. They may not know what to make of what they see. So when a nurse walks through their findings, they can explain what each test means. For the jury, understanding the complete imagery of the crime helps them make a decision.

• Work in Correctional Facilities

Correctional facilities are where inmates go. A nurse on the scene has one job. They need to help the inmate as well as figure out what’s going on in their head. At a time, a nurse may work with numerous inmates. It takes great effort to pay attention to every detail and make sure it gets documented. The court needs regular follow-ups. The trajectory of any legal case can change if a nurse can deduce that a person is sane, making criminal charges effective again. So a nurse document is essential. Not to forget, the work they do can get emotionally taxing, and to see victims of violence over and over can take a toll on their mental health. To set aside their health for the sake of the victims takes courage. 

• Connect Legal Terms with Medicine

Law enforcement needs to know what’s happening medically. They need to know how much of the law applies in different situations. Nurses can help with that. They can help draw a clear pathway on what the law says and how medicine agrees. They can explain medical terms and legal terms clear enough to understand ethics in the medical sector. Once again, while working on any case or writing any details, you can’t glaze over what happened. These nurses know how to use lab findings to make logical deductions. All of these are very important for any court case.

Final Words

Forensic science is a vast field. One of the sectors that use forensic science is the legal system. Criminal cases can happen anytime. It is essential when a criminal is being tried. They get their due in court. Nurses play a pivotal role in the sector. They can help document the evidence and study the body before them. These findings are essential to help nurses explain the exact severity of the situation. Apart from testifying in court, these professionals also work with victims and criminals alike. Their job includes counseling and helping a person cope with the trauma. That is why these nurses are definite heroes in their profession.