Forensic nurses play a crucial role in assisting law enforcement with evidence collection and attorneys with analysis of this evidence. Part of this in-depth review includes reviewing video footage. They will often be provided with video footage such as:
🎥 Body-Worn Camera Footage
🎥 Surveillance Cameras
🎥 Dash Camera
🎥 Security Systems
🎥 Interview Room Cameras
🎥 Personal video from victim, witness, or perpetrator
When forensic nurses review video footage, they focus on several key aspects:
👀 Injuries and Trauma:
They look for signs of physical injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or gunshot wounds. They also watch for the individual's movement, range of motion and for any signs of pain. Assessing the severity and location of injuries helps determine the force used and the potential impact on the victim’s current and future health.
👀 Behavioral Observations:
Forensic nurses pay attention to the behavior of both victims and suspects.
They note any signs of distress, fear, or aggression, which can provide valuable context. If a victim/suspect is known or suspected to be under the influence of drug or alcoholic substances, the forensic nurse can observe their behavior to corroborate or refute these assertions.
👀 Evidence of Assault or Abuse:
They examine the footage for any actions that indicate non-consensual behavior. Detecting signs of sexual assault, domestic violence, or other forms of abuse is crucial.
👀 Timelines and Sequences:
Forensic nurses verify the sequence of events. They correlate actions captured on camera with victim statements and other evidence.
They are also able to determine the injury progression through the videos if multiple videos were taken over a period of time.
👀 Medical Interventions:
If medical interventions occur during the footage (e.g., CPR, wound care), forensic nurses assess their appropriateness and effectiveness.
👀 Crime Scene:
Look at the crime scene to determine if there are elements that may have impacted the injuries sustained or explain the lack or absence of injury.
Reviewing police camera footage enables the forensic nurse consultant to obtain a “real-time” view of the incident aftermath and to obtain information with context that is lost with written/document evidence and photographs. Helps them provide expert insight.
