Nurse Death Investigation

This survey course explores how nursing knowledge and the nursing process are utilized within the death investigation system. The roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary team, legal and ethical issues, religious/cultural considerations, and the importance of communication between multiple agencies are discussed. The career trends in nurse death investigation are also covered.

This course examines injuries incurred from vehicular trauma, stabbings and firearms and other assaults. Emphasis is on recognition and preservation of vital forensic evidence from the victim and within the hospital or emergency department. The principles of injury mechanics and ballistics are illustrated with laboratory findings and case studies of victims. Common omissions and errors in injury assessment and death investigation are discussed.

This course examines the evolution of the present-day forensic pathologist and the role(s) he/she plays in implementing the statutes mandated by law. Discussions include the physical changes occurring to the body upon and after death and how these changes impact determination of the cause, manner and mechanism of death. Law enforcement investigation, autopsy and after-death body care are explored.

Assessing and identifying evidence is vital to the outcome of a death investigation. Learn the proper procedures for descriptive and photographic documentation, and collection of the physical evidence at a scene. Also discussed are the importance of establishing and maintaining a chain of custody, determining scene security and safety, interviewing, and gathering information about the decedent's history.

Natural death results primarily from a disease. Accidental death is ruled when there is little or no evidence of an intent to cause harm, and an undetermined classification is given when there is uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding the death. This course focuses on the death investigation processes within these three categories: natural death, accidental death or undetermined. Documentation and evaluation of both the scene and the body are discussed in detail for each of the categories. The forensic autopsy/medical examination process of the body is also studied, including the medical and non-medical factors unique in each case.

Suicide deaths are a purposeful actions set in motion to end one's life, and only their final actions can be relevant to the investigation. A homicide death results from intentional harm to a person by another. This course focuses on the death investigation process for these two categories. Documentation and evaluation of both the scene and the body are discussed in detail for each of these categories, including the differences between the medical and legal determination of homicide. The forensic autopsy/medical examination of the body is also studied, including the medical and non-medical factors unique to each case.

About 3,700 infants in the U.S. die suddenly and unexpectedly each year. These deaths are referred to as sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID), and is one of the leading causes of death among infants one month through one year of age (CJ Foundation for SIDS). This course focuses on the death investigation process when there is a SUID death, or other child death. You will discuss in detail the differences between SIDS and SUIDs, scene investigation, infant growth and development, reporting guidelines, and the critical questions that death investigators and medical examiners should ask before beginning the autopsy.