Honoring Forensic Nurses Week: The Critical Link Between Health Care and Justice

November 5, 2025

A forensic nurse is a nurse who provides specialized care for patients who are victims and/or

perpetrators of trauma, both intentional and unintentional.

Forensic nurses are nurses first and foremost, but their role extends far beyond traditional medical care. With specialized knowledge of the legal system and skills in injury identification, evaluation, and documentation, forensic nurses bridge the gap between medicine and the law. After treating a patient’s immediate medical needs, these professionals may collect evidence, provide expert testimony in court, and consult with legal authorities to ensure justice is served.

The Heart of Forensic Nursing

Forensic nurses work in a wide variety of fields, including sexual assault response (as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or SANEs), domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, elder mistreatment, death investigation, corrections, and even the aftermath of mass disasters. They are often called upon in the most difficult moments; when victims of violence and abuse need compassionate, trauma-informed care from someone trained to treat both their physical wounds and the emotional impact of the wrong that has been done to them.

Whether in hospitals, community anti-violence programs, coroner’s and medical examiners’ offices, correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, or at the scene of mass disasters, forensic nurses play a vital role in healing and justice.

Call to Action

During Forensic Nurses Week, take a moment to honor and thank the forensic nurses in your community. Their expertise, empathy, and dedication make a lasting difference for individuals and for society as a whole.

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