SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner) Training
Posted Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Jodi Maner, RN, is a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant at the Underwood Law Firm. On May 4-8, 2009 Ms. Maner attended a five-day SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner) training program conducted by the California Clinical Forensic Medical Training Center at the University of California—Davis. The training focused on fundamental forensic examination techniques for adult and adolescent victims of sexual assault. The course instructed the examiner on how to obtain a proper detailed sexual assault history, psychodynamics of rape, anatomy and physiology, completing male and female general physical exams, evidence collection for biological and foreign material evidence, proper clothing collection, ano-genital injuries, extra genital injuries, treatment and follow-up, basic legal issues, and effective expert testimony. The course required all participants to undergo a one-day hands-on skills station return demonstration that included obtaining oral swabs, use of the Woods Lamp and microscope, clothing collection, male exam, pelvic exam, anoscope utilization, vaginal swab collection, foreign materials collection, and colposcope usage.
This column is published for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice and is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author's law firm or its individual partners.
