Forensic Nursing Certificate
online program

Instructors

Janet S. Barber-Duval, MSN, RN, is presently a Clinical Nurse Consultant: Hill-Rom in Batesville, Indiana. She is also a teacher and consultant in critical care, trauma and emergency nursing, and infection control and forensic nursing specialties. She is the editor for "Critical Care Nursing Quarterly." She is a Colonel (retired) for the US Air Force Nurse Corps and a published author of numerous nursing textbooks and professional articles. Ms. Barber-Duval's accomplishments include Distinguished Fellow, International Association of Forensic Nurses and Fellow, Academy of Forensic Nurses.

Cari Caruso, RN SANE-A, has been a registered nurse since 1974. Most of her experience is in emergency department nursing, pediatrics and women's health, with some time in GI lab and a post-surgical unit. She is a charter member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). She is a member of the California Sexual Assault Investigators Association and various local groups that focus on sexual assault, domestic/interpersonal violence, cultural and legal issues. She has worked in multiple sexual assault units; has written policies and procedures, and protocols; trained nurses; taught medical professionals, legal professionals, sexual assault and domestic violence workers, law enforcement, students and community groups; and has made presentations at national and international conferences. In 2003, she established an independent sexual assault center called Forensic Nurse Professionals, Inc. (FNPI), providing forensic services for law enforcement, conducting forensic evidentiary exams on victims and suspects of sexual assault, consulting for prosecutors and defense attorneys in sexual assault cases, providing expert testimony, and performing other forensic nursing services.

Patricia Crane, Ph.D., MSN, RNC, CRNP, has recently prepared readings and conducted online discussions with graduate students on domestic violence at Duquesne University. She worked with the Family Violence Prevention Fund and a number of task forces to address domestic violence topics. She also worked with the sexual assault team in California and has published scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals on domestic violence.

Carmen E. Davailus, MS, SANE, Texas. Mrs. Davailus is a certified family nurse practitioner and is an independent legal nurse consultant. She is certified in holistic nursing and is a graduate of the UCR Extension Certificate in Forensic Nursing.

Patricia Drown, Ph.D. Dr. Drown’s current research includes decision making and risk assessment within the criminal justice system which specifically addresses the decision making process on the part of law enforcement. Additional experience includes the assessment of the viability of group therapy for violent perpetrators. As a part of the Differential Response Team in the Coachella Valley, Dr. Drown reviews cases and suggest referrals and treatment for families that are in danger of entering the criminal justice system due to the risk of violence. She also works with victims of rape, domestic violence, and elder abuse. A frequent community speaker, she is often called upon to educate groups in the areas of crisis intervention and family dynamics. Dr. Drown also maintains a life, career, and success coaching practice, For Your Well Being, located in Palm Desert.

Toni A. Eason, MS, RN, lead clinical nurse, Peace Corps, Washington, D.C. Ms. Eason is a forensic nurse in adult and pediatric sexual assault examination and a medicolegal death investigator serving the Maryland State Attorney General's Office and Prince George County Police Department.

Constance Hoyt, MSN, RN, has had over 45 years experience in nursing before becoming semi-retired. She entered the field of forensics in 1989, was a charter member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses, and in addition to presenting several programs received the Outstanding Achievement Award and served as a member of the Board of Directors for 2 years. She is a Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and Sigma Theta Tau. Constance has 14 years experience teaching in associate degree, diploma, and baccalaureate nursing programs and 10 years experience as a clinical nurse specialist in Boston hospitals. She also has 10 years experience as a staff nurse in the emergency department. She co-authored a pharmacology textbook and has published articles about Forensic Nursing. She was a Forensic Nursing Consultant to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as they developed their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program in 1995, and later became a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in the Commonwealth. She has taught three 3-credit graduate Forensic Nursing Programs at Massachusetts Universities and has served as an Expert Witness in court concerning sexual assault. At present, In the recent past, Constance worked part-time in a unique forensic nursing role: as the first-aid nurse at a greyhound racing track. In this role she responds to, reports and documents patron illnesses and accidents, photodocuments accident scenes, and files liability claim forms. For employees she acts as an occupational health nurse and must file Workman's Compensation claims for those employee injuries she has treated. She says, the track has three important forensic components: money, alcohol and testosterone.

Karen Phillips, RN, JD, Snyder, Turner, Phillips & Ober, LLC., MA. Karen Jean Phillips received her Juris Doctor from New England School of law. She has a Master's of Science from Boston University and has worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in critical care and emergency services.

Jennifer Rebecca Schindell, B.S.N., Linn County, Albany, Oregon. Schindell is a Forensic Nurse Examiner and Deputy Medical Examiner. She is also an experienced critical care/trauma nurse as well as a teacher and consultant for critical care and forensic nursing.

Mary K. Sullivan, MSN, RNC, CARN, has worked for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for 19 years with most of her clinical background in psychiatric / mental health nursing. She is currently practicing as an outpatient mental health nurse for the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ while also managing her collateral duties as a clinical forensic nurse. At this time these include teaching and consulting with nursing colleagues at the local and national levels within VHA on forensic nursing and its application to the clinical setting. She is responsible for pioneering the forensic nursing initiative currently in progress in VHA as well as being detailed out on special assignments to the Office of Inspector General on investigations of suspicious deaths in VA medical centers. Ms. Sullivan was awarded the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary's Award for Nursing Excellence in 2003 and selected as recipient of the Creighton University School of Nursing Outstanding Alumni Merit award for 2004. She is an active member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Sigma Theta Tau and American Psychiatric Nurses Association.