Mary Washington Healthcare Medical Forensic Exam Services

If you are a victim of a crime, our first priority at Mary Washington Healthcare is making sure you receive the immediate healthcare services and emotional support you need. The use of sexual assault and forensic nurse examiners provides high quality medical and forensic documentation and evidence collection which may lead to a more positive criminal justice outcome.

Mary Washington Hospital Emergency Department provides specifically trained, compassionate and understanding forensic nurses 7 days a week for those who require medical care or need to have physical evidence collected after experiencing an act
of violence. These acts of violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender.

Our forensic nurse examiners treat the following:

• Sexual assaults/abuse (pediatric, adolescent, and adult)
• Domestic violence/abuse
• Elder neglect/abuse
• Child neglect/abuse
• Physical assault
• Traumatic injuries (gun shot wound, stabbings, etc.)
• Exploitation/human trafficking
• Strangulation

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) / Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE)

Our forensic nurse examiners have specialized training and certifications. The SANE designation indicates Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

Medical Forensic Exams

Forensic exams are performed at Mary Washington Hospital by our team of forensic nurse examiners. These exams require compassionate, thorough and careful collection of evidence and can take from two to six hours to complete.

The following are steps in the forensics exam process:
• Triage - An emergency department nurse takes vital signs and gathers medical history.
• Overview - The patient’s medical and legal options are explained.
• Interview - The patient participates in a detailed clinical interview with a forensic nurse.
•Evidence - Forensic evidence is collected (if within 120 hours of the assault).
• Documentation - All exam findings are documented with detailed written descriptions and photos.
• Treatment Options - Education and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy prevention are offered,
when applicable.

• Resources - The patient is given information about available community support groups, counselors, shelters, etc.

Our forensic nurses provide services at Mary Washington Hospital, Stafford Hospital, the Emergency and Outpatient Center at Lee’s Hill, and Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. To support you, our forensic nurse examiners are active participants with multiple local counties and jurisdictions as part of their multidisciplinary teams. They often collaborate with military and government agencies as well. In addition to collecting evidence that may be used as part of a criminal investigation, the FNE may be called upon to deliver expert testimony during criminal trials.

For more information or to speak with one of our forensic nurses, please call 540.741.1285.

Find out more about the Forensic Nursing Program at Mary Washington Healthcare, listen to this #InsideMWHC Podcast.