Nurses and Medicolegal Death Investigation

J Forensic Nurs. 2020 Oct/Dec;16(4):207-214. doi: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000310.

Abstract

Forensic nurses currently serve in medicolegal death investigation settings nationwide, yet registered nurses seldom recognize death investigation as a career option. The purpose of this article is to describe medicolegal death investigation in the United States and the roles nurses can achieve, depending upon state and agency job requirements. Duties and qualifications for job positions, whether filled by election, appointment, or staff hiring, are described to provide examples of nurses' roles within the medicolegal death investigation setting and to present career options. Forensic nurses have the educational preparation, medical skills, and forensic knowledge to serve within death investigation systems as a chief officer (e.g., coroner), deputy officer, or staff investigator.

MeSH terms

  • Coroners and Medical Examiners / organization & administration*
  • Death Certificates
  • Forensic Medicine / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Nurse's Role*
  • United States