Improving the Forensic Documentation of Injuries Through Alternate Light: A Researcher–Practitioner Partnership

Date

2023

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of forensic nursing

Abstract

An alternate light source (ALS) is a practitioner-driven technology that can potentially improve the documentation of injuries among victims of interpersonal violence. However, evidence-based guidelines are needed to incorporate and document an ALS skin assessment into a forensic medical examination that accurately reflects the science, context of forensic nursing practice, trauma-informed responses, and potential impact on criminal justice stakeholders. This article introduces the forensic nursing community to a current translation-into-practice project focused on developing and evaluating an ALS implementation program to improve the assessment and documentation of bruises among adult patients with a history of interpersonal violence. Our researcher–practitioner collaboration uses theory-based approaches that consider both the developed program's practice context and stakeholder impact. The goal is to provide evidentiary support for adult victims of violence and a more equitable forensic nursing practice that benefits diverse patient populations.

Description

Keywords

medical examination, alternative light source, physical abuse, assessment, forensic nursing

Citation

Scafide, K. N., Ekroos, R. A., Mallinson, R. K., Alshahrani, A., Volz, J., Holbrook, D. S., & Hayat, M. J. (2023). Improving the Forensic Documentation of Injuries Through Alternate Light: A Researcher–Practitioner Partnership. Journal of forensic nursing, 19(1), 30-40.

DOI