Abstract

The aim of this Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) practice improvement initiative was to design an online multimedia training module for postmortem sexual evidence collection. FNEs, as clinical experts in antemortem sexual assault and interpersonal violence evidence collection, are uniquely qualified for the expanded role in postmortem sexual evidence collection. Current forensic literature lacks data regarding injury identification in sexual homicide victims limiting forensic training, new program development and potential advancements in forensic research. Additionally, inconsistent data collection in sexual homicides poses prosecution concerns with identification of sexual homicides and evidentiary examinations. Antemortem and postmortem sexual evidence collections are not identical processes; FNE expertise may not translate to understanding of critical postmortem changes and clinical evidence collection requirements in deceased patients. A multimedia-training module on postmortem evidence collection was developed to expand the role of the FNE. A 25-item survey critiquing essential training module content was distributed to 23 nationally recognized forensic experts. Fifteen surveys were completed and analyzed using descriptive statistics and percent agreement of four content areas. Reviewer comments were also incorporated in the analysis. Expert agreement regarding content was supported with statistically significant Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC = .838, 95% CI = .638, .944, p < .001) and average pairwise agreements of 90.5% and 89.1% respectively. This practice improvement initiative provides the scientific foundation for a multimedia training module as an ideal training platform to expand Forensic Nurse Examiner practice.

Author Details

Kirsten O. Turkington, DNP, kirsten.turkington@gmail.com

Sigma Membership

Unknown

Lead Author Affiliation

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Forensic Nursing, Sexual Evidence, Homicides, Postmortem, Multimedia Instruction, Training Module, Criminal Evidence

Advisor

Saulpaugh, Janine

Second Advisor

Crouch, Laura

Third Advisor

Rasile, Karyn

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Northern Arizona University

Degree Year

2014

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Full Text of Presentation

wf_yes

Download

Share

COinS