By Christina M. Wright, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — Forensic nursing became a recognized specialization in 1995, when the American Nurses Association saw the need, according to forensic nursing pioneer Cari Caruso.
Since then, the specialization has taken off, improving how trace evidence is retrieved from patients.
“What used to be common practices just aren’t necessary anymore,” said Caruso, charter member of the International Association for Forensic Nurses.
Caruso said she got in on the ground floor of forensic nursing in 1993. Along the way, she said, evidence collection has become more sophisticated and sensible.
“Plucking pubic hairs used to be the norm,” she said of an old practice that nurses used to get the patient’s DNA. “Along the way, we learned better ways.”
Holly Renz, head forensic nurse at the Madison County Treatment Center, said most trace evidence after a sexual assault is found in the mouth or cervix – the vaginal opening.
She said exams include swabbing the mouth and vaginal area and flossing the patient’s teeth.
“DNA retrieval just keeps getting more and more sophisticated the more and more we go,” she said.
Caruso said she tailors each exam to the individual patient.
“I’m looking for normal,” she said. “Anything that’s outside of normal or the normal variants will be documented,” she said.
DNA is not the only evidence that forensic nurses look for; they also look for abnormalities in the integrity of the skin.
“Times have changed with the science,” Caruso said. “It used to be that people would say ‘I wasn’t there; I didn’t touch her.’ Now, it’s more, ‘I was there; it was consensual.’”
Renz said community knowledge of how to preserve possible evidence has also increased over the years.
“I am encouraged that young girls and woman know what to do after a sexual assault,” she said.
Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.
