| The critical
care nurse encounters victims of violence and abuse
in the clinical setting. From these patients or from
their visitors, evidence can be collected that, when
used in legal proceedings, may interrupt the cycle of
violence if a perpetrator is identified and found guilty
by a court of law" (Hoyt, 1999, p. 19).
In its
simplest definition, "evidence is something legally
presented before a court, as a statement of a witness,
an object, etc., which bears on or establishes the
point in question." 3(P-386) (Hoyt, 1999, p.
19).
"Evidence
is further defined depending on the taxonomy used.
Evidence may be tangible, such as the written word
or a photograph or drawing of the sustained wound;
it also may be intangible, such as "excited utterances"
(see Appendix) or odors observed on a patient or recalled
by a witness interviewed during treatment and documented
in writing" (Hoyt, 1999, p. 19).
As crime rates increase across the country, it becomes
increasingly essential for the operating room departments
to implement procedures for the preservation of evidence
accompanying trauma victims. Moreover, it is imperative
that the perioperative nurse acquire and use a firm
understanding of the basic forensic principles in
the care of trauma patients (Schramm, 1991, p. 691).
Regardless of the mechanism of injury, proper documentation
of the "chain of custody" is mandated whenever
there is forensic evidence (Schramm, 1991, p. 686).
|
Topic
E - Forensic (ER) Emergency > Section E.4.0. Forensic Practice/
Prevention > Unit.E.4.2. Evidence Collection/ Chain of Custody
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