A closer look at HonorHealth’s expert forensic nurse examiners

When the call comes in, an HonorHealth Forensic Nurse Examiner responds to the requested location within one hour. They are available 24/7, every day of the year to serve patients who are victims of interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, sex trafficking, domestic violence, strangulation, physical assault or abuse. 

Of course, they provide quality, compassionate nursing care as they provide head-to-toe medical-forensic examinations on victims. But another important part of their job is to collect medical samples and document injuries. This evidence can be vital to an investigation of interpersonal violence and help law enforcement prosecute abusers and attackers. They often provide expert testimony in court when a patient’s case goes to trial.

Patients are typically seen in one of seven advocacy centers—six in the Valley and one in Prescott Valley. Patients also may be seen in any hospital, care home, jail or prison. As part of their care, patient receive information about sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, injury care, strangulation dangers, and patient and family safety. 

The Forensic Nurse Examiners record and maintain precise information and documentation on each patient through the Forensic Electronic Medical Records (FeMR) system, a custom-designed database. These records support any investigation. It also helps improve patient care through research. For example, de-identified patient data captured in FeMR is being shared with researchers to create a domestic violence strangulation lethality/scoring tool for courtroom documentation and testimony.

With funding from the Victims of Crime Act, HonorHealth’s Forensic Nursing Examiners program offers a victim services advocate who helps victims learn their rights, file victim’s compensation claims and access resources for obtaining orders of protection. The advocate also provides support in developing a safety plan, court accompaniment, follow-up for healthcare, and linkage with other community resources.