Forensic Psychiatric Nursing - Career Development

Title Talk: Forensic Psychiatric Nursing - Carrier Development

Author: Dr. Sampoornam W. Professor, Annai JKK Sampoorani Ammal College of Nursing, Komarapalayam Namakkal, India E-mail : sampoornamwebster@yahoo.in Volume: Career Development 2023_CN32_AA02 Abstract: Forensic nursing is a rapidly evolving specialty in the nursing field, but it is an essential component that bridges the gap between healthcare and the judicial system. Typically, forensic nurses work with victims of crime, conducting examinations, preserving evidence, and providing testimony in court. However, forensic psychiatric nurses bring a unique combination of psychiatric evaluation and nursing expertise to the field. While they may perform physical examinations, their primary focus is on the mental health of their patients, often treating offenders more than victims. Forensic psychiatric nurses are responsible for evaluating individuals who require court-ordered psychiatric evaluations and treating criminal offenders who may be mentally ill, similar to correctional nurses. They also evaluate the mental state of crime victims and work with juveniles in juvenile correctional institutions. In addition to their clinical responsibilities, they may also connect their patients with social or medical services to aid in their rehabilitation.

Forensic nurse gross salary in India: The average forensic nurse gross salary in India is Rs.9,44,261 or an equivalent hourly rate of Rs. 454. In addition, they earn an average bonus of Rs.15,486. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in India. An entry level forensic nurse (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of Rs.6,80,854. On the other end, a senior level forensic nurse (8+years of experience) earns an average salary of Rs.11,87,106. The average salary for a forensic psychiatric nurse is $42,000. This is only an average and it can depend greatly on employer, geographic location, and experience as well as benefits offered. Centres offering courses in forensic psychiatry: The All India Forensic Science Entrance Test (AIFSET-2023) is a national level entrance test to enrol into the forensic science courses of it's various participating universities. Candidates who are interested in pursuing a career in this field can apply to the course through this examination. The duration of the course is three years for the Bachelor of Science program and two years for the Master of Science Program. National Institute of Mental Health and NeuroSciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru has five-decade long history of evolution and practice of Forensic psychiatry. Role of the Nurse in Forensic Psychiatry: Forensic psychiatric nurses work with mentally disordered offenders in secure psychiatric services where they assess the patient (victim or perpetrator) and gather evidence that may influence conviction, sentencing, recidivism, treatment, and prevention. Computerized Dermatoglyphics: Dermatoglyphics was first discovered by Johannes Evangelista Purkinje, a Czech physiologist in 1820s. Finger and handprints are extensively used in forensic psychiatry. Computerized scanner sensor will detect and predict mental disorders. A high frequency of dermatoglyphic changes or asymmetry is an indication of mental disorders.

It is used to identify schizophrenia, depression, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, mental retardation and dyslexia. Forensic health care worker must explain the procedure to all the subgroup patients. Psychological autopsy: Psychological autopsy is a procedure used to identify equivocal deaths. An equivocal death is a death in which it is not immediately clear whether a person committed suicide or not (eg. drug ingestion deaths, single car accident deaths). It is basically a mental status examination of deceased. In augmentation, information is gathered from available health care, psychiatric records and forensic examination. Thus a psychological autopsy synthesizes the information from manifold informants and records. The early generation of psychological autopsies rooted that more than 90% of completed suicides had suffered from usual co-morbid mental disorders, most of them clinically diagnosed to have mood and substance use disorders. Furthermore, they disclosed that under treatment of these mental disorders without any contact with psychiatric or other health care services might be the reason for committed suicide. Conclusion: As the field of forensic nursing continues to grow, the role of forensic psychiatric nurses will become increasingly important. Their unique combination of nursing and psychiatric expertise allows them to provide critical care to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. By working closely with law enforcement and the judicial system, forensic psychiatric nurses play a vital role in ensuring justice is served while also providing compassionate care to those in need.

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