Forensic nursing is often listed as a hot, new career field, thanks to "CSI" and other criminal investigation television shows.

"It's not really new. Nurses have been called on to give practice-based evidence in court for years, and it's certainly not 'CSI,' but I find it exciting," said Denise Atkinson, RN, SANE-A, CMI-III, an emergency department nurse at Coliseum Medical Center in Macon and president-elect of the Georgia chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses.

(ENLARGE)

Denise Atkinson

Atkinson contracts as a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) through Hodac Inc. in Warner Robins and serves on the Sexual Assault Response Team for Houston County. She also is the deputy coroner for Houston County.

The American Nurses Association recognized forensic nursing as a specialty in 1997, adopting pioneer Virginia Lynch's definition of it as "the application of the forensic aspects of health care, combined with the bio/psycho/social/spiritual education of the registered nurse, in the scientific investigation and treatment of trauma and/or death victims and perpetrators of violence, criminal activity and traumatic accidents."

As an ER nurse, Atkinson has often examined victims of sexual assaults, gunshot wounds or knife wounds.

"When Georgia came out with the SANE training, I took it and every other class I could find, because I wanted to learn how to do it correctly, so that it would stand up in court," she said.

She sought the job of deputy coroner, an appointed position, and became a certified medical investigator after being trained at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.

"Nurses who want to work in forensic nursing practice in correctional facilities or as legal nurse consultants, but most work as sexual assault nurse examiners," Atkinson said.

A few nurses serve in death investigations, but many of those positions are filled by law enforcement officials. Coroners — who often are funeral directors — are elected officials.

"A lot of people think that sexual assault nurse examiners work full time, but it's an on-call position," Atkinson said.

Because calls can come at any time, she understands why it's difficult for nurses with full-time jobs and families to commit to being sexual assault nurse examiners.

"A nurse is the perfect person to perform sexual assault exams, though," Atkinson said. "Because of her assessment skills and training, she can give a better exam and not put someone through things that don't have to be done."

Sensitivity is important in sexual assault cases.

"I do this nursing specialty for the victim, to bring some compassion and human perspective into the process," Atkinson said.

For years, rape victims complained that going through the exam and answering difficult questions made them feel revictimized. Atkinson is proud that, in seven years as a sexual assault nurse examiner, no one has complained about one of her examinations.

"You definitely have a good feeling at the end, because you know you've helped someone," she said.

When she is called to a death scene as deputy coroner, Atkinson assists the coroner in arranging for and attending the autopsy and notifying the family of the deceased.

"This is a horrible time in their [families'] lives, and who they encounter can contribute to the healing," Atkinson said.

When called to court, Atkinson serves as an expert witness.

Georgia has developed a statewide program to train sexual assault nurse examiners, based on the International Association of Forensic Nurses. Sponsored by the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault, the program teaches a multidisciplinary team approach, with representatives from nursing, law enforcement, prosecutors' offices and victims' advocacy groups working together to meet the needs of sexual assault victims.

Nurse examiners work through hospitals, agencies or clinics associated with local assault centers.

"We need more nurses willing to work in this capacity in the state, and you don't have to be an ER or OB nurse. You can come from any specialty," Atkinson said.