Forensic Focus 2003

Continuing Education
Earn up to 32 CEU credits by attending Forensic Focus 2003! CEU approval given by the Arizona Nurses Association, an approver of continuing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Tuesday, June 17 Pre- Conference Workshop Day
8-11:30am	Courtroom Testimony for the Medical Professional The workshop is for those who have had little or no experience in the courtroom, and who are deathly afraid of the potential experience! An overview of terms and procedures used by the legal profession, including the concepts of fact and expert witness, what constitutes evidence and what is not admissible, and the significance of a subpoena. Trial procedures will be explained -- from being qualified as an expert, to the proper display of demonstrative evidence and the presentation of testimonial evidence. Included will be a demonstration of how to respond to an ad hominem attack by the attorney, where the attorney directly and personally attacks the witness to diminish the impact and credibility of the testimony. Presented by a forensic pathologist who has had no formal training in law, but who testifies frequently in the course of his duties. Speaker: Charles Wetli, MD Tangible, Transient or Trace? Evidence Collection, Preservation and Documentation for Forensic Nurses A definitive review of effective techniques for the collection, preservation and documentation of forensic evidence in the clinical setting and at the crime scene. This workshop will address Locard's Principle of Exchange, the importance of standardized evidence collection methods, evidence packaging procedures, defining the "chain of custody," methods for documentation of physical evidence and identifying the different types of forensic evidence. Speaker: Nancy Cabelus, MSN, RN, DABFN
12:30-4pm	From Scene to Trial: A Quadruple Homicide Case Study Basic concepts and principles in forensic science, clinical forensic nursing and medico-legal death investigation used by the forensic team including the SANE nurse, medical examiner, scene investigators, law enforcement, forensic scientists and attorneys in one of Wichita's worst multiple homicides in history will be covered in this workshop. Follow the case from crime scene to trial through the experiences of the SANE nurse and forensic pathologist involved in the case. Videotapes of the trial will be shown to demonstrate court procedure, legal issues and expert witness testimony. Case critiques and lessons learned will be presented. Speakers: Mary Dudley, MD, BSN, MSN, RN Diana Schunn, RN Forensic Photography This workshop is designed to enable participants to apply basic principles and techniques of forensic photography to crime scene preservation and evidence documentation. Included will be a look at the technical requirements to consider when selecting equipment required for high-quality forensic photographs, useful approaches and standard set-ups for photographing selected forensic evidence, the evaluation of forensic photographs for composition, lighting and technical quality and a discussion of the factors which determine the admissibility of photographs as evidence in a court of law. Speakers: Janet Barber, MS, RN, FAAFS Patrick Besant-Matthews, M.D.
Wednesday, June 18
7-8:15am	Continental Breakfast/Exhibits
8:15-9:45am	Poisons in Questionable Hospital Deaths Learn how to detect and handle cases in which health care providers commit poison murders using drugs, which are unusual outside the hospital setting. Cases will be used to distinguish salient facts and circumstances surrounding such deaths. Also, define suspicious deaths, identify the evidence and review evidence handling techniques. Lastly, the approach for selecting autopsy specimens, bioanalytical methods and the provenance of appropriate result interpretations will be discussed. Speaker: Michael Baden, MD
10-11:30am	Roles of the Forensic Nurse in Forensic Medical Investigations Suitable for those pursuing a career in forensic nursing and those in advanced forensic nursing clinical practice, this seminar will update participants on topics such as the scope of practice, job opportunities and current credentialing requirements. The roles of the forensic nurse in forensic medical investigation, which includes clinical forensic nursing ("living" forensics) and medico-legal death investigation will be addressed. Various subspecialties including clinical forensic nurse specialist, forensic psychiatric nurse, forensic pediatric nurse, forensic legal nurse consultant, sexual assault nurse examiner and forensic nurse coroner/death investigator will be discusses. Speaker: Mary Dudley, MD, BSN, MSN, RN
11:30am-1pm	Lunch/Exhibits
1:15-2:15pm	Making the Most of Sexual Assault Evidence: The Importance of Close Collaboration Between Forensic Nurses and Crime Lab Personnel Hear the crime lab director for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department give an introduction to crime labs and explain lab technicians' role in the examination of sexual assault evidence. Join him as he looks toward the future with the modern trends in forensic science and discusses lessons on how good forensic nurses can become exceptional, understanding the medico-legal interface and the importance of advocacy in forensic science. Speaker: Barry "A.J." Fisher
2:30-3:45pm	Postmortem Genital Examinations with Coloscopy Initial, salient findings from clinical adaptation of ongoing research on postmortem genital examinations will be described in this presentation. Also, review the patterns of genital trauma in living sexual assault victims and hear an overview of the Sexual Homicide Evidentiary Protocol and the Sexual Homicide Database. Lastly, the mobile system of technology developed for colposcopic postmortem examinations, SART To Go, will be described Speaker: Sharon Crowley, RN, MN, FCNS
4-5pm	Practical Applications for Clinical Forensic Medicine in the ER Gun shot wounds and cases of child abuse and domestic violence are frequently encountered in the emergency department. Review the entrance and exit characteristics associated with gunshot wounds, identify the forensic evidence associated with contact, close, intermediate and distant gunshot wounds and hear the proper techniques for the collection of ballistic evidence in the emergency department. Also, describe the mechanisms associated with pattern injuries of victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Speaker: William Smock, MD, FACEP
5-5:45pm	Photographic Documentation of Injuries Instant photography is a reliable and effective tool for first response officers and health care professionals. Receive hands-on practice with two instant camera systems, the Macro 5 SLR Camera and the Spectra Close-up Kit, designed specifically for injury and forensic documentation. Speaker: Dan Cavazos, Polaroid Corporation Sponsored by:
5:45-6:30pm	Glitter Trace Evidence and the Forensic Nurse This presentation illustrates the wide variety of glitter particle cosmetic products through the on-screen projection of microscope images of glitter particles on the stage of a digital microscope. Speaker: Robert D. Blackledge, MS, senior chemist, Naval Criminal Investigative Service Sponsored by:
Thursday, June 19
7-8:15am	Continental Breakfast/Exhibits
8:15-9:45am	Sudden Death Related to Sexual Activity Certain natural disease processes that may result in sudden death during sexual activity are discussed and illustrated. This is followed by illustrations and discussions of life threatening sexual practices with and without the concomitant use of recreational drugs. Particular attention is paid to the perihelia of autoerotic sexual asphyxia and the rare cases of homicidal sexual asphyxia. Speaker: Charles Wetli, MD Ritual Trauma: Forensic Considerations Although individuals throughout the world have generated reports of ritual abuse, investigation of these allegations has not been without controversy. This session offers forensic considerations for the investigation of cases where individuals may have endured traumas from ritual abuse or torture. Both the strength and absence of evidence from actual cases will be used to illustrate the complexities associated with reports of ritual abuse. The proposed diagnosis of cult and ritual trauma disorder in DSM format will also be discussed. Speaker: Tascha Boychuk Spears, PhD, RN
10-11:30am	Death in Custody This presentation is designed to highlight the need for vigilance when caring for a recently injured patient confined to a correctional facility. The difficulties in evaluating and monitoring impaired patients are emphasized. Hazards inherent in change of shift procedures and physical restraining techniques are also discussed as contributory factors in fatal outcomes. Videotaped segments of the sobriety test with law enforcement as well as nursing staff depositions will establish the foundation for group discussion and debate. Speakers: Janet Barber, MS, RN, FAAFS Belinda Howell, BSN Forensic Dentistry The most common role of the forensic odontologist is the identification of human remains. Growing utilization of forensic odontology in mass disasters, bite mark analysis in relation to sexually related crimes, homicides and child abuse have stimulated media attention and public awareness. This session will analyze the comparison of antemortem and postmortem dental radiographs for positive identification, discuss the analysis of bite marks and review dental identification challenges in mass disasters. Speaker: John Piakis, DDS, DABFO
11:30-1pm	Lunch/Exhibits
1-2:30pm	Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation A look at the potential applications of bloodstain pattern analysis. This in-depth seminar will provide basic knowledge needed to determine basic pattern characteristics and recognition, type of assault or activity, who was or was not present during the assault, origin of bloodstains, reconstruction using bloodstain pattern analysis, positioning of victim, positioning of assailant, duration of assault and establishing a sequence of events. Speaker: Paulette Sutton, MS, MT, (ASCP), CLS Chemical and Biological Warfare Review the history of biological and chemical warfare agents and terrorism cases where bioterrorism was used. Also, hear a case study of a woman who died of anthrax poisoning. Lastly, hoaxes and other false alarms and how to minimize the risk of exposure will be discussed. Speaker: Brian Donnelly, PhD
2:45-3:45pm	Use of Forensic Nursing in the Wartime Environment Learn how to distinguish between different levels of wartime triage categories and various echelons of care. Hear how forensic nursing impacts wartime triage, the levels of care and patient transport throughout the theatre. Speaker: Pamela Assid, BSN, MSN Strangulation Injuries and Documentation Tools for the Forensic Examiner Hear how to use the Forensic Medical Report as a tool for documentation, discuss strangulation forms and learn how to verbally demonstrate the use of these forms. Speaker: Diana Faugno, BSN, RN, FAAFS
4-5pm	Evidence Collection in Domestic Violence Cases A close look at the evidentiary value of the various components of the domestic violence crime scene, with a focus on the link between crime scene investigation and evidence collection to the medical response to victims of domestic violence. Increase your ability to gather and preserve evidence through proper evidence processing for future prosecution, learn to recognize the medico-legal implications of evidence gathering and more. Speaker: Lt. Brad Simpson Clinical Forensics and Methods of Investigation Slovenly Sleuthing in the Emergency Department: What if Agatha Christie Had Been an RN? Review the fundamentals of the medico-legal approach to the assessment of injured persons. Discuss how valuable evidence is lost or overlooked during routing patient care, the importance of clothing as evidence and as an aid to assessment and diagnosis, the differentiation between cause, manner and mechanism of death and the chain of custody for evidence. Speaker: Patrick Besant-Matthews, MD
6:30-9:30pm	Dinner and Keynote Address When a Schizophrenic Murders: The Sacramento Vampire Case In 1978, a young man suffering from schizophrenia since 16 years old, committed a series of horrible murders compelled to do so from mental illness. This presentation will show how the crime scene analysis lead to the most accurate criminal personality profile ever developed by the FBI, a profile which pointed directly to the offender. Crime scene photographs will be presented. Speaker: Candice DeLong, former FBI head field profiler in San Francisco and host of What Should You Do? on the Lifetime Channel Additional registration required.
Friday, June 20
7-8am	Continental Breakfast
8-11:45am	Successful Prosecution of Doctors, Nurses and Healthcare Professionals Who Kill This panel will focus on the legal, social and forensic issues concerning the discovery, investigation and prosecution of healthcare workers who abuse and kill patients. Learning points will be demonstrated and referenced through a series of case reviews. This presentation will be given by a diverse panel of experts who have identified, investigated, reconstructed and exhumed victims for successful criminal trial outcomes. Program: 8-9:20am Why the Veteran's Administration is so far ahead in the detection and investigation of healthcare professionals who abuse and/or kill patients. Specific examples will be included. Speaker: Bruce Sackman 9:30-10:30am The role of poisons in death of patients and the issues surrounding correct identification and analysis. Speaker: Brian Donnelly, PhD 10:40-11:30am Presentation of specific cases through the initial contact by prosecutors concerning suspected criminal deaths through exhumation and trial. Speaker: Michael Baden, MD
11:30-11:45am	Questions and Answers
11:45-Noon	Closing Remarks Evaluations Certificates