, Praise for A Practical Guide to Forensic Nursing
“The interface of nursing, healthcare, and the law confronts nurses in all domains of practice.
Angela Amar and Kathy Seukula’s new book, A Practical Guide to Forensic Nursing,
represents a milestone to help guide nurses in their care of victims and their families. The
authors have presented excerpts from actual situations of the many people involved in a
crime, and the reader of these cases will quickly develop an understanding of the practice of
forensic nursing. This is an important book that sheds light on difficult and stressful
phenomenons of our times.”
–Ann Wolbert Burgess, DNSc, APRN, FAAN Professor of Psychiatric Nursing,
Connell School of Nursing, Boston College
“Amar and Sekula formalize the notion that all RNs practice forensic nursing. Then they lay a
persuasive foundation of theories, forensic science concepts, existing evidence base, and
practice exemplars of the common presentation when RN patient care intersects with legal
systems. I highly recommend the book to academicians and
RNs alike.”
–Patricia M. Speck, DNSc, APRN, FNP-BC, DF-IAFN, FAAFS, FAAN Professor
and Program Director for Global Outreach
Department of Family, Community & Health Systems
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
“Amar and Sekula are to be praised for A Practical Guide to Forensic Nursing, the latest
forensic nursing textbook entrant. A must-have for students, practitioners, and associates, it
is particularly strong in the areas of crime perpetration, victimization, and traumatization
and how to approach the patient. A focus on principles keeps this book readable, and the
tender care of the authoring nurses seeps through the pages.
Case studies provide a basis for discussion in class.”
–Victor W. Weedn, MD, JD
Professor and Chair
George Washington University
Department of Forensic Sciences
“Although forensic nursing was not formally recognized as a specialty in the fields of clinical
healthcare and forensic science until a couple of decades ago by the American Academy of
Forensic Science and the American Medical Association, experienced and knowledgeable ER
physicians, trauma surgeons, psychiatrists, and medicolegal consultants have long been
aware of the critical role played by nurses in various matters involving both civil and
criminal litigation. Amar and Sekula have organized and edited an excellent volume that
covers all aspects of forensic nursing. An outstanding team of expert practitioners and
academicians has contributed valuable, practical information that should constitute an
,essential reference work for not only present and future forensic nurses, but for every nurse
whose professional life is devoted to the care and needs of emotionally and physically
traumatized individuals in both the medical and legal arenas.”
–Cyril H. Wecht, MD, JD
Chair, Board of Advisors for Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Sciences and
Adjunct Professor of Law, Duquesne University
Clinical Professor, Department of Pathology,
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Distinguished Professor of Pathology, Carlow University
“A Practical Guide to Forensic Nursing represents an emerging aspect in nursing education
that is designed to support the development of the forensic generalist in nursing science. The
content of this book is grounded in the scientific underpinnings of the integrated practice of
nursing science, forensic science, and the legal sciences. This publication presents the
significance of the broad and complex areas of these merging sciences and the implications
for contemporary nursing practice with a focus on the reduction and prevention of human
violence. I believe that this excellent text will help to inspire and prepare the highest-quality
professionals to represent the vision and purpose of forensic nursing science.”
–Virginia A. Lynch, MSN, RN, FCNS, FAAFS, FAAN
Founding President, International Association of Forensic Nurses
Independent Forensic Scholar, Consultant, Author
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO
FORENSIC
NURSING
, Incorporating Forensic Principles Into
Nursing Practice
Angela F. Amar, PhD, RN, FAAN | L. Kathleen Sekula, PhD, PMHCNS, FAAN
Copyright © 2016 by Sigma Theta Tau International
All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written
permission from the publisher. Any trademarks, service marks, design rights, or similar rights that are mentioned, used, or cited
in this book are the property of their respective owners. Their use here does not imply that you may use them for similar or any
other purpose.
The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to
support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health
worldwide. Founded in 1922, STTI has more than 135,000 active members in 85 countries. Members include practicing
nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others. STTI’s 500 chapters are located at 699
institutions of higher learning throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana,
Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa,
South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
More information about STTI can be found online at www.nursingsociety.org.
Sigma Theta Tau International
550 West North Street
Indianapolis, IN, USA 46202
To order additional books, buy in bulk, or order for corporate use, contact Nursing Knowledge International at 888. NKI.4YOU
(888.654.4968/US and Canada) or +1.317.634.8171 (outside US and Canada).
To request a review copy for course adoption, email or call 888.NKI.4YOU
(888.654.4968/US and Canada) or +1.317.634.8171 (outside US and Canada).
To request author information, or for speaker or other media requests, contact Marketing, Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma
Theta Tau International at 888.634.7575 (US and Canada) or +1.317.634.8171 (outside US and Canada).
ISBN: 9781940446349
“The interface of nursing, healthcare, and the law confronts nurses in all domains of practice.
Angela Amar and Kathy Seukula’s new book, A Practical Guide to Forensic Nursing,
represents a milestone to help guide nurses in their care of victims and their families. The
authors have presented excerpts from actual situations of the many people involved in a
crime, and the reader of these cases will quickly develop an understanding of the practice of
forensic nursing. This is an important book that sheds light on difficult and stressful
phenomenons of our times.”
–Ann Wolbert Burgess, DNSc, APRN, FAAN Professor of Psychiatric Nursing,
Connell School of Nursing, Boston College
“Amar and Sekula formalize the notion that all RNs practice forensic nursing. Then they lay a
persuasive foundation of theories, forensic science concepts, existing evidence base, and
practice exemplars of the common presentation when RN patient care intersects with legal
systems. I highly recommend the book to academicians and
RNs alike.”
–Patricia M. Speck, DNSc, APRN, FNP-BC, DF-IAFN, FAAFS, FAAN Professor
and Program Director for Global Outreach
Department of Family, Community & Health Systems
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
“Amar and Sekula are to be praised for A Practical Guide to Forensic Nursing, the latest
forensic nursing textbook entrant. A must-have for students, practitioners, and associates, it
is particularly strong in the areas of crime perpetration, victimization, and traumatization
and how to approach the patient. A focus on principles keeps this book readable, and the
tender care of the authoring nurses seeps through the pages.
Case studies provide a basis for discussion in class.”
–Victor W. Weedn, MD, JD
Professor and Chair
George Washington University
Department of Forensic Sciences
“Although forensic nursing was not formally recognized as a specialty in the fields of clinical
healthcare and forensic science until a couple of decades ago by the American Academy of
Forensic Science and the American Medical Association, experienced and knowledgeable ER
physicians, trauma surgeons, psychiatrists, and medicolegal consultants have long been
aware of the critical role played by nurses in various matters involving both civil and
criminal litigation. Amar and Sekula have organized and edited an excellent volume that
covers all aspects of forensic nursing. An outstanding team of expert practitioners and
academicians has contributed valuable, practical information that should constitute an
,essential reference work for not only present and future forensic nurses, but for every nurse
whose professional life is devoted to the care and needs of emotionally and physically
traumatized individuals in both the medical and legal arenas.”
–Cyril H. Wecht, MD, JD
Chair, Board of Advisors for Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Sciences and
Adjunct Professor of Law, Duquesne University
Clinical Professor, Department of Pathology,
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Distinguished Professor of Pathology, Carlow University
“A Practical Guide to Forensic Nursing represents an emerging aspect in nursing education
that is designed to support the development of the forensic generalist in nursing science. The
content of this book is grounded in the scientific underpinnings of the integrated practice of
nursing science, forensic science, and the legal sciences. This publication presents the
significance of the broad and complex areas of these merging sciences and the implications
for contemporary nursing practice with a focus on the reduction and prevention of human
violence. I believe that this excellent text will help to inspire and prepare the highest-quality
professionals to represent the vision and purpose of forensic nursing science.”
–Virginia A. Lynch, MSN, RN, FCNS, FAAFS, FAAN
Founding President, International Association of Forensic Nurses
Independent Forensic Scholar, Consultant, Author
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO
FORENSIC
NURSING
, Incorporating Forensic Principles Into
Nursing Practice
Angela F. Amar, PhD, RN, FAAN | L. Kathleen Sekula, PhD, PMHCNS, FAAN
Copyright © 2016 by Sigma Theta Tau International
All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written
permission from the publisher. Any trademarks, service marks, design rights, or similar rights that are mentioned, used, or cited
in this book are the property of their respective owners. Their use here does not imply that you may use them for similar or any
other purpose.
The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to
support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health
worldwide. Founded in 1922, STTI has more than 135,000 active members in 85 countries. Members include practicing
nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others. STTI’s 500 chapters are located at 699
institutions of higher learning throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana,
Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa,
South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
More information about STTI can be found online at www.nursingsociety.org.
Sigma Theta Tau International
550 West North Street
Indianapolis, IN, USA 46202
To order additional books, buy in bulk, or order for corporate use, contact Nursing Knowledge International at 888. NKI.4YOU
(888.654.4968/US and Canada) or +1.317.634.8171 (outside US and Canada).
To request a review copy for course adoption, email or call 888.NKI.4YOU
(888.654.4968/US and Canada) or +1.317.634.8171 (outside US and Canada).
To request author information, or for speaker or other media requests, contact Marketing, Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma
Theta Tau International at 888.634.7575 (US and Canada) or +1.317.634.8171 (outside US and Canada).
ISBN: 9781940446349
