What is the primary role of the forensic nurse?

The primary role of the forensic nurse involves caring for victims of violence and collecting evidence, which is essential in cases of assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of trauma. Forensic nurses are trained to provide compassionate care while also being skilled in evidence collection and documentation that is crucial for legal proceedings. Their expertise enables them to seamlessly integrate medical care with forensic science, ensuring that evidence is handled properly to support potential criminal cases. This dual role of providing medical support while preserving evidence makes the forensic nurse indispensable in the legal and healthcare systems.

The other options focus on different aspects of forensic work. Analyzing criminal behavior is typically the role of a psychologist or criminologist, while conducting criminal investigations is generally the responsibility of law enforcement officers. Documenting crime scene activities is usually carried out by forensic investigators or crime scene technicians, making the specialized skills and duties of the forensic nurse unique and essential in their context.