🔎 Mitigating Factors:
Forensic nurse consultants identify mitigating factors related to the injuries. They examine all available documentation to understand the case background and context of the injuries. They also review all medical records of the alleged victim and/or perpetrator for medical conditions or medications that may have contributed to the injuries.
🔎 Severity Assessment:
The severity of the injury needs to meet the definition of the charges. By accurately determining injury severity, forensic nurses can provide expert input as to whether charges could be upgraded or downgraded.
❓ Are the injuries consistent with the explanation?
❓ Are there alternative explanations?
❓ Do the injuries look chronic or recent?
❓ Are there injury patterns that may indicate the type of object used?
❓ Do the medical records provide clear timeline of the medical history?
❓ Were there treatments, previous injuries, or follow-up appointments?
❓ Are there inconsistencies that could indicate underlying issues?
❗ They consider factors like healing time, pain level, and long-term consequences such as disfigurement, scarring, physical limitations, loss of function, and/or risk of death.
📸 They interpret photographs of injuries taken at different stages (immediately after the incident and during healing) and document the extent and progression of injuries visually. The absence of photographic evidence of injuries significantly hinders injury evaluation and analysis
🔎 Expert Testimony:
Forensic nurses can testify in court as expert witnesses. The objective of their testimony is to educate the judge and jury on the medical evidence and issues in order for an informed decision to be made. Their objective analysis can support a defense argument for reduced charges or the prosecution argument for greater charges.
🔎 Collaboration with Legal Teams:
Forensic nurses work closely with attorneys, providing insights into the medical aspects of the case. They collaborate with legal teams to build a stronger defense or prosecution litigation strategy and/or negotiate plea deals.
⭐ Forensic nurses DO NOT directly change the charges but contribute valuable information to the legal process.
