title: "Don't destroy the evidence!".
abstract: As nurses, we interact with both victims and perpetrators of violence. Our goal is to save the patient; however, we also play a role in the legal outcome of that violence. What we do in caring for these patients is important. Means of preserving and documenting evidence while caring for the victims of violence are discussed and guidelines for the nurses legal role are given.
authors.affiliation: Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center, Portland, Ore., USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wick
mesh_terms: D003415:Crime; D004282:Documentation; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009737:Nursing Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000379:methods; D016495:Police; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D014481:United States; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000451:nursing*