New course aims to reduce trauma for rape victims in investigations
A groundbreaking course at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh is to train nurses to gather forensic evidence in rape investigations.
The four- year forensic nursing course will be the first of its kind in Scotland, and will offer a unique blend of forensic work and person- centred care.
It will be delivered in partnership with NHS Lothian, the Scottish judiciary, Police Scotland and The UK Association of Forensic Nurses
The ai m i s f or t he c ar e - focused approach is to limit the additional trauma caused to survivors of rape or sexual assault by a forensic examination.
The advanced forensic practitioners qualified by the postgraduate course will, as registered nurses, be able to carry out forensic examinations and gather evidence to support criminal investigations and court cases, documenting and interpreting any injuries.
They will also look after the health and wellbeing of the individual, and respect their rights, personhood and dignity.
The course will be led by Jessica Davidson, Senior Clinical Forensic Charge Nurse with the South East Scotland Police Custody and Forensic Examination Service at NHS Lothian.
She said: “Undertaking a forensic examination in sexual assault and rape cases requires the examiner to treat each person as an individual and take responsibility for that episode of care from start to finish.
"What is unique about this role is that the examination i nvolves documenting and interpreting any injuries that the individual may have sustained at the time of the incident.”
She added: “The examination team’s work also involves protecting the forensic integrity of the person, the treatment room and the case.
"They use hard science, clinical observation and the law to take responsibility for the case itself, as well as the individual.
"Anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted, or hurt by crime, experiences trauma.
“It is therefore important that the examiner works to minimise the potential for further trauma and begin the process of supporting recovery.”
Tw e n t y p l a c e s o n t h e p o s t g r a d u a t e c e r t i f i c a t e c o ur s e wil l b e f unded by t he S cotti s h Government.