Academy of Forensic Nursing - Bell Work Talks

In this Bell Work Talk, Dr. Clements and Ms. Varto will discuss that it is important to continually educate forensic nurses with evolving forensic nursing science, as forensic nursing now approaches being a formally established specialty for 30 years (American Nurses Association recognized Forensic Nursing as a specialty in 1995), it is additionally incumbent for our members to educate others, bot...

In this Bell Work Talk, Dr. Neville and Julia Bonfim discuss the emergent public health threat regarding the infiltration of the adulterant xylazine in illicit drugs. A brief overview of the opioid epidemic worsened by fentanyl will be discussed and the impact of the adulterant xylazine will be presented. The historical development of xylazine use, identification of potential xylazine use and impl...

In this Bell Work Talk, Pam Marcus discusses a comprehensive assessment of an individual who is potentially violent, using the Brøset Violent Checklist as well as interventions that can reduce this dangerous behavior. Ms. Marcus is an Advanced Practice Nurse Psychotherapist in Private Practice in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She provides psychotherapy to individuals and families experiencing a variet...

In this Bell Work Talks, Dr. Joyce Williams discusses how standards impact professional practice, what the main purpose is and how it directs professional nursing practice. This is followed by a review of the forensic nursing subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC), whose goal is to strengthen the discipline’s use of forensic science by drafting s...

In this Bell Work Talks, Dr. Rosenblatt discusses personal experience and proven training strategies that are making a difference in human trafficking and domestic violence. Dr. Rosenblatt is an Author, Consultant, Trainer and Public Speaker. Board Member-There Is HOPE For Me, Inc.(2011). Dr. Kat created a nonprofit from survivors to survivors™ of human trafficking providing peer mentoring, rescue...

In this episode, Dr. Inaba discusses the history and importance of STOP THE BLEED®. From its origins in the military to its lifesaving ability for everyday injuries, STOP THE BLEED® can help anyone be prepared to respond in an emergency. Dr. Inaba shares why STOP THE BLEED® is important for forensic nurses and their patients, and how to learn more about the program and get trained. Kenji Inaba MD,...

In this Bell Work Talks, AFN’s very own School and Public Health Nurse Special Interest Group members discuss their maverick workings of addressing the need and desire to implement forensic education into school nursing practice and improving the identification, response, and care of students impacted by violence. Jen has been a nurse since 1999. She has worked in multiple health care settings inc...

In this Bell Works Talks, Pam Marcus will discuss the importance of assessing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) when predicting the risk for suicide. Ms. Marcus is an Advanced Practice Nurse Psychotherapist in Private Practice in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She provides psychotherapy to individuals and families experiencing a variety of diagnoses, such as Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, Personality Diso...

In this podcast , Deborah Pierce and Doctor Jeremy Ackerman discuss how they got involved in tactical medicine and the types of training and education that is required to serve in this position. Deborah is an RN With multiple trauma certifications and is a certified emergency nurse . She has experience in trauma centers and emergency rooms . She has three years experience as the swat team nurse an...

In this episode, Dr Thimsen describes the prevalence and incidence of forced organ harvesting that is occurring around the world. She describes how human rights and ethical violations are taking place against spiritual followers, based on their beliefs. Join us to learn about the crime against humanity and what you can do to respond. Dr Kathleen Thimsen has demonstrated her expertise, leadership,...

In this episode, Dr. Faugno discusses how an occupational therapist can help in the identification and inform treatment for non-fatal strangulate victims’ lives who have been unjustly disrupted by traumatic events. Dr. Rebecca Faugno is an occupational therapist who has a vested interest in recent developments within the domestic violence populations and how OT can be an integral part of the recog...

In this episode, Katharine Manning, author of The Empathetic Workplace: 5 Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma on the Job, discusses her LASER technique for supporting those in trauma at work: Listen, Acknowledge, Share, Empower, and Return. Katharine Manning is the author of The Empathetic Workplace: Five Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma...

In this podcast, Dr. Carter-Snell provides an overview of dating violence, in particular within the post-secondary context. Risks for victimization and perpetration are discussed, as well as current approaches to prevention and intervention. Implications for further research are also identified. Dr. Cathy Carter-Snell is a Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Mount Royal University...

In this Bell Work Talks Dr. Goolsby discusses the processed used to develop consensus recommendations for healthcare in mass shootings. This project was based in part on the fact that in 2021 702 people died in mass shooting incidents in the US. To define best healthcare response to these incidents, the Uniformed Services University’s National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health hosted...

In this Bell Work Talks, Dr. Farst will discuss common challenges faced in courtroom settings by medical providers when presenting the facts that the majority of children who have been sexually abused will not have residual visible physical injuries on examination. This could include being summoned to pre-trial hearings, formulating strategies to explain the issue to judges/jurors and use of publi...

In this podcast, Drs. Holt and Clements examine the related factors toward this increase risk for IPV occur during pregnancy, including the increased stress and potential for loss of control after the birth. Additionally, they explore what can we do as nurses and other direct providers to enhance assessment and promote safety. Ultimately, the most critically important first step is to screen for v...

In this Bell Works Talks, the producers of the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination Virtual Practicum, Grace Frances and Jacque Basset, and forensic nursing expert Tamara Jackson discuss how the new online program improves care for diverse patient populations, including transgender and incarcerated sexual assault survivors. The Practicum’s Interactive lessons and patient simulations teach e...

In this Bell Work Talk, Dr. Clements discusses the traumatic responses – both obvious and subtle – that repeated exposure to current national events (shootings at schools, hospitals, churches, places of employment) can have on the daily lives of those exposed directly or through ongoing media coverage. He discusses the importance of a significant shift toward providing self-care and care for other...

In this Bell Works Talks, Dr. Nicole Short discusses findings from a large, multisite, prospective observational cohort study on the prevalence of acute and persistent pain post-sexual assault, and how posttraumatic stress symptoms may account for the transition from acute to chronic pain. She will focus on the clinical implication of these findings for healthcare providers working with sexual ass...

In this Bell Work Talks Debra Holbrook discusses the practice of forced organ harvesting. She will discuss how breaking down silos and working with various stakeholders to advocate for victims. Awareness of what healthcare should be alert for in identifying potential victims is discussed. As a form of human trafficking Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting aims to provide the medical community a...

In this Bell Works Talks, Dr. Tanner will identify and explain the four major approaches adult sex offenders use to groom and manipulate child victims. Regardless of your profession, anyone who works with victims or perpetrators will come away with a deeper understanding of critical elements of the grooming process and how it relates to their occupation. Dr. Tanner has been a justice system profes...

In this Bell Work Talks, Dr. Tabor discusses stalking and correlation with intimate partner violence and stalker's behaviors. There will also be discussion about The Stalking and Harassment and Risk Profile Tool. Dr. Tabor holds a DNP in forensic practice, is a Board-Certified Advance Forensic Nurse and holds an RN license. She served two terms on the Board of Directors for the International Assoc...

In this Bell Work Talks, Coroner O’Neal will discuss the role of nurses in the medicolegal death investigation professions. Coroner O’Neal will discuss her background and training which led to her election as the Charleston County Coroner in November of 2020, the importance of nurses in this profession and her role as the President of the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners...

In this Bell Work Talk Dr. Dugan will discuss what TBI is, how to screen for it during the forensic medical exam, and considerations for Nurse Forensic Medical Examiners who testify in court. Dr. Dugan is a Board Certified Pediatrician, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Credentialed Adult/Pediatric Forensic Medical Examiner, General Child Abuse Pediatrician, and Director of Forensic Se...

In this Bell Work Talk Dr. Troy discusses the findings from a study fulfilling requirements for her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Nursing. Nurses are required to utilize trauma- informed practices, often without mitigating their childhood trauma. Forgiveness is a mediator of trauma and does not require benevolence toward the transgressor rather includes release of self from fault and shame. Forgi...