title: Forensic experience of Saudi nurses; an emerging need for forensic qualifications.
abstract: Forensic nursing was recognized as a nursing subspecialty after the perceived need for forensic nurses to bring about their nursing duties while at the same time helping legal authorities to deliver justice. With the increased rate of cases that are presenting to the forensic centers in Saudi Arabia, there was a need for the presence of nurses to work side by side to physicians. This study was aimed at determining the forensic qualifications of nurses working in emergency departments in the area of Dammam and their knowledge about principles of forensic nursing. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to registered nurses who are working in Emergency departments of secondary hospitals in the area of Dammam. Questions included knowledge, awareness and attitude toward forensic nursing. A total of 96 participants responded to the questionnaire with females representing 78% (n: 75). Diploma was the highest earned nursing degree in 95% (n: 91) of participants. Only 33% (n: 32) were aware of the term forensic nursing and the majority of the respondents gave invalid or didn't know the answers to knowledge questions. A total of 77% (n: 74) agreed that they are not adequately trained for handling forensic cases. Saudi nurses need forensic education. The presence of qualified forensic nurses would help delivering optimal forensic services and would assist in bringing justice.
authors.affiliation: Center of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: alsaifd@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Dalia M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Alsaif
authors.affiliation: Center of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Maram
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alfaraidy
authors.affiliation: Center of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Kholoud
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alsowayigh
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, The University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Awal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alhusain
authors.affiliation: Center of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Osama M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Almadani
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D053604:Forensic Nursing / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Forensic medicine; Forensic nursing; Saudi Arabia