The Forensic Nurse's Evolving Role in Addressing Elder Maltreatment in the United States

Abstract

U.S. forensic nurses' specialization in elder maltreatment has evolved over the last 30 years. Significant progress in research has led to the ability to define and respond to elder abuse. This article describes the foundation for a specialization in nursing that led to inter vention in abuse and neglect, historical milestones as steps to elder justice, and the evolution of forensic nurse practice with senior victims of abuse.

Forensic Characteristics of Physical Elder Abuse and Current Status and Issues of Collaboration between Forensic Medicine Departments and Related Institutions in Japan

“…Another study stresses the need for forensic pathologists to recognize elder abuse and neglect in cases where physical abuse and neglect was a significant cause of death [29]. For early detection of elder abuse, it is important to include the specialized knowledge of forensic doctors and nurses in multidisciplinary team consultations [30,31]. In our study, there were a variety of opinions about the number of cases handled to be able to determine trends in elder abuse; however, many respondents discussed assessing from both clinical and forensic perspectives, considering both the results of the forensic examination and the various information known to the municipality when deciding whether abuse has occurred or not and the need for the involvement of forensic medicine in the detection and prevention of elder abuse.…”