FORS - Forensic Healthcare

FORS 601/NURS 601 Foundations of Forensic Healthcare

Credits 2. 2 Lecture Hours. Legal, ethical, clinical and advocacy responsibilities of responders and providers; forensic medical terminology; mechanisms of injury and death; identification of intentional and non-intentional wounds; scientific and medico-legal investigation of suspicious injury and death; introduction to written and photographic documentation of findings; judicial system overview. Prerequisite: Graduate classification; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 601/FORS 601.

FORS 602/NURS 602 Victimology: Clinical Implications and Applications

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Comprehensive examination of human responses to victimization resulting in physical and psychological trauma; interpersonal violence as a public health issue; overview of intentional injury, neglect, abuse and exploitation throughout the lifespan; process of seeking justice for victims; characteristics and motivational issues related to perpetrators of violence; transitioning patterns from role of victim to survivor including secondary effects of victimization; theoretical and evidence-based approaches to assessment; documentation of victims and perpetrators of violence. Prerequisites: Graduate classification; NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 602/FORS 602.

FORS 603/NURS 603 Impact of Violence Across the Lifespan

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. In-depth analysis of the role of the multidisciplinary team within the criminal and civil court systems; critical collaboration between representatives of the health care system, investigative systems and the legal system in seeking justice for victims of violence; civil investigative processes involving trauma, injury and death; methods of evidence collection and preservation; public health perspective of interpersonal violence and prevention; social-ecological model of primary prevention; factors placing individuals at risk for violence; batterer/anti-bullying intervention programs. Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601, or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 603/FORS 603.

FORS 604/NURS 604 Forensic Investigation of Injury

Credits 2. 2 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour. Injury pathology, across the lifespan; classifications and mechanisms of injury; intentional and unintentional injuries; physiology of wound healing; documentation of injury. Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601, or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 604/FORS 604.

FORS 610/NURS 610 Forensic Sexual Assault Examiner

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Roles and responsibilities; legal definitions; expert witness testimony; nurse advocacy; motivations of perpetrators to offend; obtaining historical account of sexual assault using interview techniques; appropriate methods of documentation; EMTALA; head-to-toe assessment; injury documentation; anatomy of female and male sexual organs; evidence collection kit; treatment of STDs; pregnancy prophylactic treatment; role of advocates and advocacy centers; communication skills; vicarious victimization; civil and criminal trial procedures. Prerequisite: NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601 or concurrent enrollment; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 610/FORS 610.

FORS 611/NURS 611 Application of Clinical Pharmacology to Victims of Violence

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Common substances of abuse; substance abuse and crimes against persons; drug laws and enforcement; drug facilitated crimes; pharmacological prophylaxis. Prerequisite: NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601 or concurrent enrollment; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 611/FORS 611.

FORS 612/NURS 612 Human Trafficking

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Forms of trafficking; Trafficking Victims Protection Act; grooming of victims; perpetrator attributes; involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage; trafficking versus human smuggling; recruitment and transportation of victims; bio-psycho-social impact; human trafficking and the internet; identification and investigation of trafficked individuals; trafficking in the U.S. and world-wide. Prerequisite: NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601 or concurrent enrollment; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 612/FORS 612.

FORS 613/NURS 613 Forensic Photography

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Fundamentals of photographic documentation of injuries sustained during a crime; camera and equipment selection; camera skills; forensic photography techniques; supporting documentation; data management; victim rights. Prerequisite: NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601 or concurrent enrollment; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 613/FORS 613.

FORS 614/NURS 614 Policy and Ethics of Interpersonal Violence

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Overview of policies and ethical considerations that inform forensic healthcare practice and procedures; identification, discussion and analysis of federal, state and local policies; regulation of professional practice; scopes and standards of practice; policy and legislation regarding victim populations; ethical standards for health professionals working with victims. Prerequisite: NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601 or concurrent enrollment; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 614/FORS 614.

FORS 615/NURS 615 Forensic Mental Health

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Mental health issues related to victimization and perpetration; forensic mental health professional roles; diminished capacity and competence to stand trial; addiction and crime; current issues in forensic mental health. Prerequisite: NURS 601/FORS 601 or FORS 601/NURS 601 or concurrent enrollment; or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: NURS 615/FORS 615.