Self-defense spray and bank dye evidence: contributions of the forensic nurse
Self-defense spray and bank dye evidence: contributions of the forensic nurse
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Issue Date
2004
Authors
Rudy, Susanna M.
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Abstract
The hospital based forensic nurse has not been fully recognized or incorporated into the healthcare setting; it is a relatively new concept that needs more exposure in order to conceptualize. Recent crime and healthcare related Statistics would be cited to document the need for forensic nurses and their incorporation into the healthcare field as an assistant to law enforcement in matters that have legal consequences. Typically, the forensic nurse is associated with the collection of evidence in sexual assault cases; as this was the basis of formation of the specialty. However, potentially, it has the ability for a much broader role. As an example of the expanded role for forensic nurses in the assessment, documentation and collection of evidence possibly related to a crime, this study will focus on two types of evidence that heretofore have received little notice. Self defense sprays, used by civilians and law enforcement, and exploding dye packs, incorporated by banks into bundles of cash and used as bank deterrents, have been known to cause injuries requiring medical treatment. Verbal interviews and written questionnaires will evaluate the current practice of the medical profession in terms of their ability to recognize these injuries and how to properly document, collect and preserve this type of evidence collection. A sample guideline outlining the collection of evidence related to self-defense sprays and bank dye packs will be researched and outlined. Finally, experimental results involving the detection of invisible but fluorescing dyes incorporated into many commercial self defense sprays will be presented, as well as methods for the collection from skin and clothing of dye traces possibly originating from bank dye packs.
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Forensic sciences