Forensic Nursing Workshop

Dr Narayana appreciated and congratulated for organizing the workshop for 2 days. In his speech he has sensitized the audience regarding the need for clear knowledge on forensic aspects among nurses on areas such as evidence collection.
Dr Anice George, Dean, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, welcomed the gathering and expressed the need to organize a seminar for the outgoing batches of the college on forensic Nursing. Mr Biju Soman, Organizing convener of the workshop gave an overview of the workshop.
The inaugural programme was concluded by vote of thanks by Mr Renjulal Yeshodharan, co convener of the workshop. The master of ceremony for the programme was Ms Anjali KG, Lecturer, Dept of Psychiatric Nursing, MCON, and Manipal.  

Workshop Day 1:
Introductory session was dealt by an alumnus of MCON, Mr. Nevil Johnson Raju, Forensic Psychiatric Nurse, Ministry of Health, Muscat, and Sultanate of Oman. During the deliberation he focused on roles, responsibilities and skills essential for a forensic nurse. An overview of current perspective of forensic nursing in India & abroad also was illustrated by the speaker.
The second session was by Dr Shankar M Bakkannavar, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, KMC and Manipal on Forensic toxicology. A vivid explanation on various medico legal cases and steps in managing them was given by the resource person. Dying declaration and nurse’s responsibility was also addressed in the session.
Dr Vinod C Nayak, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, KMC, and Manipal conducted a session on Medico-legal care for survivors & victims of sexual violence. Audience was sensitized about the need for reporting every sexual violence case. Examination procedure, equipment used for examination and evidence need to be collected was discussed. Resource person also emphasized the need for a thorough history collection and documentation of it.  

The Post lunch session began with Dead body identification methods by Dr Vikram Palimar, Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, KMC, Manipal. Various methods used in identification of age, sex and other identity marks like finger print was elaborated by speaker. Newer techniques like DNA identification, porography and superimposing was also explained.
A virtual orientation to Postmortem /cadaver examination was done by Dr Prashantha Bhagavath, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, KMC, Manipal. During the session steps in post mortem such as external and internal examination was illustrated with pictures. Resource person explained the parts of an autopsy reports as Preamble, amble and conclusion.  

Workshop Day 2:
The second day of the workshop started with session by Dr Joseph Thomas, Professor, Department of Urology, KMC, and Manipal & Head of Centre for Bioethics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. He spoke on Medical Negligence from a criminal and civil point of view. In his speech effect of negligence on patients and family was emphasized. Evidence of negligence, Res ipsa loquitor which are proven by itself such as mop inside the body after surgery was explained by the speaker. Various scenarios and laws relating to negligence were narrated to throw light into the issue.

A session on The Legal responsibilities of Nurses was taken by Dr Tessy Treesa Jose, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal. She had stressed on the types of law such as civil and criminal law. She also explained about the legal responsibilities of nurses pertaining to informed consent, privacy and confidentiality.  

Adv. Sunil Mathew, Trial Advocate, Udupi had taken a session on Medico-legal aspects in Forensic science. “Save life that should be the primary focus” said during his deliberation. Process of witnessing was explained from a legal perspective. He motivated the audience to explore the area of forensic nursing to assist the legal system effectively.

Last session of the workshop was by Dr Ashwini Kumar who dealt with handling of medico-legal cases. Dr Ashwini discussed different aspects like documentation of medico legal cases, collection and transport of specimens.

Group activities based on various scenarios related to forensic nursing were provided to the participants of the workshop to enhance critical thinking skills. The workshop was attended by 33 delegates who highly appreciated the usefulness of workshop. Workshop was concluded with certificate distribution by Dr Judith Angelita Noronha, Associate Dean, and Manipal College of Nursing Manipal.