Forensic Nurse Specialty: Sexual Assault Examiner

Sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking are prevalent issues. Victims of such problems require legal and medical help, and the healthcare system is well-equipped to deliver it through forensic nurses. Sexual assault examiners, also called Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), are forensic nurses who complete additional education and training to provide adequate care to sexual assault survivors.

Today’s post will give you a quick overview of what sexual assault examiners are, what their responsibilities entail, and how you can become one yourself.

What is a Sexual Assault Examiner?

Forensic patients are patients who have healthcare issues intersecting with the legal system. Forensic nurses are trained to provide comprehensive care to violence survivors. Sexual assault examiners specialize in providing care and support to survivors of sexual assault. This designation is awarded to nursing professionals who qualify by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN).

What are the Responsibilities of a Sexual Assault Examiner?

We can categorize a sexual assault examiner’s responsibility into two groups: Clinical and Legal.

Clinical Responsibilities

In terms of helping the patient’s physical health:

• Sexual assault examiners must meet victims to provide essential treatment and examine the patient to determine whether they need urgent medical intervention or specialized care.
• They conduct a thorough examination, documenting and cataloging evidence of abuse that could be presented in court.
• They may need to collect DNA samples, document injuries, and conduct a detailed examination of the victim’s genital area.
• They must ensure the patient receives the appropriate care and offer them support throughout the treatment.

Legal Responsibilities

On the legal side of things, a sexual assault examiner must:

• Connect patients with relevant community resources to help them, like legal advocates or mental health professionals.
• Serve as witnesses in court to provide expert testimony, provided they are called upon in a courtroom.
• Adhere to all legal guidelines related to gathering, documenting, and preserving the evidence and maintain the chain of custody for all sexual assault examinations.