First ever Forensic Nursing Facility in Sri Lanka: Experiences and way forward

Abstract

Introduction: A Forensic Nursing Facility primarily provides care to victims of crime. The scope of the forensic nurse varies worldwide, with greater responsibilities in some jurisdictions and limited in others. The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine (DFMT), Colombo, which services five suburban police areas, introduced the first ever forensic nursing facility in Sri Lanka in 2018. The role of the Forensic Nursing Officer (FNO) was to facilitate the medicolegal management of victims of crime especially victims of sexual and gender-based violence and child abuse. The FNO develops a rapport with the victim, explains the procedures, obtains informed consent, chaperones and assists the victim during the entire examination procedure with a compassionate, case sensitive manner in order to create a victim-friendly environment and to prevent retraumatization and secondary victimisation. This study presents the experience, its impact, limitations and recommendations for further development of the Forensic Nursing Facility. Methods: Victim satisfaction surveys conducted by the DFMT before and after introduction of this facility were reviewed and compared.