In a society where crime and violence are increasing day by day, the connection of healthcare and justice becomes more critical than ever. Behind the scenes of criminal investigations and legal encounters, an overlooked group of professionals plays a crucial role: “forensic nurses”. These specialized healthcare professionals not only treat victims of violence and trauma but also ensure the careful collection and preservation of forensic evidence, directly affecting the justice system. Despite its significance, forensic nursing remains underdeveloped in Pakistan, facing multiple challenges that hinder its potential.
Forensic nursing is a specialized field that connects healthcare with legal procedures, playing an important role in addressing violence, trauma, and criminal investigations. Nurses are the first who are in contact with patients and their families and have a direct connection with medical records (Firuzi et al., 2022) It involves the assessment, treatment, and care of victims and culprits of violence while ensuring the proper collection and preservation of forensic evidence. Given the rising cases of violence and crime in Pakistan, forensic nurses serve as key players in both the healthcare and justice systems. However, despite its significance, forensic nursing remains weak and faces several challenges in the country.
Forensic nurses work in various dimensions, including providing medical care to victims of assault, abuse, and trauma and accurately collecting and preserving essential forensic evidence. They document injuries, gather DNA samples, and follow strict protocols to ensure the acceptability of evidence in legal proceedings. Specialized forensic nurses, such as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), conduct forensic medical evaluations for victims of sexual violence, contributing to the inspection of criminals. Additionally, forensic nurses assist in death investigations, collaborating with medical examiners to determine the causes of death in suspicious cases. Their role extends beyond direct patient care to include advocacy, education, and training for healthcare professionals on forensic healthcare protocols.
Despite its importance, forensic nursing in Pakistan faces significant hindrances. One of the primary challenges is the lack of recognition and awareness about the profession. The title of forensic nursing is unfamiliar to many nurses and nursing students. There is little evidence in the field of forensic nursing in nursing courses. This is not surprising as the recognition of nursing practice as “forensic” in nature is not common throughout the world.(Chander et al., 2025) Most nurses do not receive specialized training in forensic evidence collection or legal verification, leading to gaps in the justice system. Limited forensic education in nursing curricula further obstructs the development of this field. A shortage of forensic nursing programs means that nurses are often unprepared to handle cases requiring forensic expertise, resulting in missed or improperly handled evidence. (Vicziany, 2024)
Additionally, Pakistan’s forensic infrastructure is weak, with hospitals and forensic departments lacking necessary resources such as forensic kits, laboratories, and trained personnel. Outdated laws and bureaucratic hurdles further complicate forensic investigations. Cultural and societal barriers also discourage victims, especially fighters of sexual violence, from seeking forensic medical care due to fears of social stigma and revenge. (de Oliveira Ribeiro & Dixe, 2020)These challenges severely limit the effectiveness of forensic nursing in ensuring justice for victims.
To advance forensic nursing in Pakistan, it is crucial to introduce specialized training programs in universities and medical institutions. Hospitals should establish dedicated forensic nursing units equipped with the necessary tools and resources. Legal improvements are needed to ensure that forensic nursing reports are legally recognized and that forensic nurses may appear in court as skilled witnesses. Moreover, public awareness campaigns can help change societal attitudes, encouraging victims to seek forensic healthcare services without fear. Strengthening collaboration between healthcare institutions, law enforcement agencies, and the legal system will also improve forensic case handling and support victims more effectively.
Forensic nurses play a crucial role in Pakistan’s fight against violence and crime. By investing in forensic nursing education, infrastructure, and legal frameworks, Pakistan can improve the quality of care for victims, strengthen the justice system, and ensure that forensic nursing emerges as a recognized and respected profession. Therefore, support for forensic nursing education will have a positive effect, such as improving the quality of patient care, increasing access to services, decreasing the burden on the health care system, increasing nurses’ confidence, and promoting patient satisfaction.(Henshall et al., 2020) Empowering forensic nurses is not just a healthcare priority but a step toward a more just and compassionate society.
References
Chander, P., Mathew, B., Choudhary, P., Majumdar, R., Mandal, R., & Yadav, R. (2025). Effectiveness of structured health education program on knowledge regarding forensic nursing among B. Sc.(Hons.) Nursing third-and fourth-year students of the College of Nursing, AIIMS Raipur. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 14(1), 317-321.
de Oliveira Ribeiro, G. P., & Dixe, M. d. A. C. R. (2020). Knowledge of forensic nursing practices: Efficacy of an intervention for nursing students. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 16(3), 154-160.
firuzi, Z., Sabet, M. S., Jafaraghaee, F., Jafari, H., Leyli, E. K., Karkhah, S., & Ghazanfari, M. J. (2022). Effect of a forensic nursing virtual education course on knowledge and clinical decision-making of master’s nursing students in Iran: a non-equivalent control group pre-and post-test study. Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 19.
Henshall, C., Davey, Z., & Jackson, D. (2020). The implementation and evaluation of a resilience enhancement programme for nurses working in the forensic setting. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 29(3), 508-520.
Vicziany, M. (2024). India’s Muslim minority: Religious violence and why India’s crime statistics cannot be trusted. In Routledge Handbook of Contemporary India (pp. 461-480). Routledge.