CFN Forensic Evidence Collection & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A forensic nurse must testify about evidence she collected six months ago. Which documentation resource is most critical to her testimony?
- Her personal memory of the examination
- The chain of custody form signed at collection
- The crime laboratory analysis report
- Her contemporaneous forensic examination medical record (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Her contemporaneous forensic examination medical record
The detailed contemporaneous medical record written at the time of examination provides the most reliable foundation for accurate expert testimony.
Question 2: Which body fluid is most likely to fluoresce under an alternate light source (ALS) during a sexual assault examination?
- Blood
- Saliva
- Semen (Correct answer)
- Urine
Correct answer: Semen
Semen contains flavins that fluoresce brightly under ALS (typically 450–500 nm wavelength), making it the primary target for ALS examination in sexual assault cases.
Question 3: When photographing bite mark injuries in a forensic examination, what item should be placed adjacent to the injury in each photo?
- A forensic identification label with case number only
- An ABFO No. 2 scale ruler for size reference (Correct answer)
- A gloved finger to indicate the wound borders
- A coin to demonstrate relative size
Correct answer: An ABFO No. 2 scale ruler for size reference
The ABFO No. 2 scale (an L-shaped ruler with gray scale) is the forensic standard for bite mark photography as it provides accurate size reference and color calibration.
Question 4: Under HIPAA and forensic nursing practice, a law enforcement officer requests a copy of a sexual assault patient's medical record without a signed release. The nurse should:
- Provide the record immediately to support the criminal investigation
- Decline and explain that a subpoena or patient authorization is required (Correct answer)
- Release only the evidence kit documentation, not the medical record
- Contact the hospital administrator before responding
Correct answer: Decline and explain that a subpoena or patient authorization is required
HIPAA requires patient authorization or valid legal process (subpoena/court order) before releasing medical records to law enforcement except in specific emergency circumstances.
Question 5: A forensic nurse collects fingernail scrapings from a patient who scratched her alleged attacker. These specimens should be packaged in:
- A single container labeled 'fingernail scrapings'
- Separate containers for left and right hand specimens (Correct answer)
- A sealed plastic bag with desiccant packets
- A glass vial with formaldehyde preservative
Correct answer: Separate containers for left and right hand specimens
Left and right hand nail scrapings must be packaged separately to maintain location-specific evidence integrity and prevent cross-contamination.
Question 6: Which type of wound characteristic best distinguishes an entrance gunshot wound from an exit wound?
- Exit wounds are always larger and more irregular with no marginal abrasion ring (Correct answer)
- Entrance wounds are always larger due to blast effect
- Exit wounds are smaller and stellate in shape
- Both entrance and exit wounds appear identical without laboratory analysis
Correct answer: Exit wounds are always larger and more irregular with no marginal abrasion ring
Exit wounds are typically larger and more irregular with irregular margins, while entrance wounds show an abrasion collar (marginal abrasion ring) from bullet rotation.
Question 7: A forensic nurse documents that a wound has 'bridging' present. What does this finding indicate?
- The wound edges can be approximated for suture closure
- Strands of tissue connect the wound edges, suggesting a blunt force mechanism (Correct answer)
- The wound spans across a joint space
- Subcutaneous tissue bridges over the wound indicating healing
Correct answer: Strands of tissue connect the wound edges, suggesting a blunt force mechanism
Tissue bridging (strands of dermis/subcutaneous tissue crossing the wound base) is a hallmark of blunt force lacerations rather than incised (sharp force) wounds.
CFN Forensic Evidence Collection & Documentation 3
A forensic nurse must testify about evidence she collected six months ago.
Which documentation resource is most critical to her testimony?