Texas Rules on Forensic Evidence Collection and Patient Care

Course overview

Specially trained forensic health team members are often the first response of healthcare and crisis intervention for vulnerable victims of sexual assault and physical abuse. Increasingly, state jurisdictions require some health professionals in various healthcare settings to be specially trained to offer forensic evidence collection for victims of sexual assault. These specially trained health team members also liaise with other health, law enforcement, and legal professionals to ensure that timely and appropriate documentation and forensic evidence are collected, thereby improving outcomes for victims. A specific focus on Texas law as it pertains to forensic nursing in sexual assault cases is discussed as outlined in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Act, Texas Government Code, section 420.001, et seq.