Nursing & Health Sciences

Forensic Nursing & Health Sciences Program

Forensic Courses | Forensic Nursing Roles | Faculty Biographies | "A Career in Forensic Health Science" (Adobe PDF file) | Forensic Course Schedule

The paradigm for Forensic Health focuses on meeting the needs of victims and perpetrators of violent crime. The Forensic model applies clinical and scientific knowledge to the delivery of care for survivors of traumatic injury, victims of violence or death investigations. At any point where the delivery of patient care and the medicolegal system intersect, forensic scientists have an integral area of practice. Historically, a gap has existed between the office of the medical examiner, the police department and the hospital emergency room or hospitalized patient. Forensic Science can bridge that gap. Forensic professionals help avoid the mishandling or omission of forensic evidence, perform critical functions in the recognition and correct collection of forensic evidence in all cases of violence, especially complex criminal cases. Forensic experts are integral key professionals in preventive interventions related to victims of violence in our society. 

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences was the first University to recognize the need for formal education programs in Forensic Nursing and Health Sciences. The University offers flexible course scheduling and course blocking to allow individuals from throughout the United States and other countries to participate in program offerings.

Program offerings include:

• Extended Studies Courses
• Undergraduate Certificate in Forensic Nursing and/or Health Science:
  Four hundred (400) level health science courses provide senior level nursing students, health science students and registered nurses the opportunity to take upper division courses for college credit. These courses may be used as elective course credit toward a baccalaureate degree in nursing or health science (available as CE credits). HSCI 431, 432, 433, 434 and 435 are required.
• Graduate Certificate in Forensic Nursing and/or Health Science
  Six hundred (600) level courses are designated for students with a baccalaureate nursing degree or non-nursing baccalaureate degree. Students taking this level of program are encouraged to apply knowledge from research and management courses to the specialty focus (available as CE credits). NURS 631, 632, 633, 634 and 635 are required.
• BS in Health Care Sciences: Forensic Science Option
• MSc in Health Care Sciences: Forensic Science Option
• Master of Science in Nursing: Clinical Nurse Specialist

Degree seeking students should request a Health Science Application or a Master of Nursing information packet and application from the Admissions office. This information my also be found on this website on the Admissions page.

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FORENSIC COURSES

FORENSIC NURSING ROLES

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE): typically works as a multidisciplinary team member, conducts rape victim examinations, provides supportive care to victims and preserves the chain of evidence obtained from the victim

Nurse Coroner: determines cause of death and assists the police to collect evidence at the scene of the crime. A Coroner is usually an elected position and in small communities may be someone other than a physician.

Nurse Investigator: investigates deaths and may, according to protocols, determine if an autopsy is indicated. A Nurse Investigator is usually employed by either a coroner or medical examiner.

Forensic Psychiatric Nurse: assesses, evaluates and provides therapy for criminal defendants, and assists staff members who have witnessed assaults or experienced patient suicide. May require additional education and certification in psychiatric therapy.

Forensic Correctional/Institutional Nurse: specializes in the care and treatment of large institutionalized populations in prisons or psychiatric facilities, observes, documents and reports problems common to large institutionalized groups confined in close quarters

Clinical Nurse Specialist: serves as consultant and clinical expert to nursing staff working with victims of violence and in areas where the hospital and legal systems interface, and provides support and referral to victims of violence. This role complements the role of Clinical Forensic Medicine.

Expert Witness: testifies in criminal and/or civil court cases

Trauma Nurse: functions in acute care hospital settings or emergency departments providing direct care or consultative capacity for victims of violence and their families

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FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES

Virginia Lynch, MSN, RN, FAAN
A Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialist and author of the Handbook of Clinical Forensic Nursing: A New Perspective in Trauma (1997), and author of Clinical Forensic Nursing: A New Perspective in the Management of Crime Victims from Trauma to Trial (1995). She developed the role of Forensic Specialist in Nursing and was the founding President of the International Association of Forensic Nurses. She is an elected Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Examiners, an internationally known speaker and consultant in the discipline of Forensic Nursing.

Z.G. Standing Bear, MSFS, PhD
A criminologist with more than 35 years experience as a police officer, criminal investigator, investigations administrator, educator and coroner. He is presently an Associate Professor of Sociology at Colorado State University where he teaches Sociology of Organizations, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Sociology of Law and Criminal Justice Ethics

Patrick Besant-Matthews, MD
Board Certified in Anatomic, Clinical and Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology. Formerly the Chief Medical Examiner for Seattle-King County and Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for Dallas County, Texas. Dr. Besant-Matthews limits his practice to Forensic Medicine and Pathology with emphasis on mechanical injury, teaching, scientific photography, courtroom testimony and documentation for legal purposes. He is a graduate from the University of London, England.

Joseph A. Levisky, MD (Forensic Toxicologist-Retired)

B.S. Chemistry, Grove City College, Grove City, Pa. (1963), M.S. Chemistry, Case Institute of Technology, Cleveland, Ohio (1965). 

Served in the United States Air Force from 1963 and retired as Colonel in 1992.  Active duty tours included reliability engineer for Minuteman ICBM, Hill AFB, Utah (1965-1969) and Instructor of Chemistry, United States Air Force Academy (1969-1971).  Reserve assignments included Liaison Officer, USAF Academy and Research Director, F.J. Seiler Research Laboratory, USAF Academy (1971-1992).  Conducted and directed research on the synthesis of new ionic liquids and the chemical reactions catalyzed by chloraluminate room temperature molten salts. 

From 1971-1988, served as Department Head, St. Francis Hospital, supervising eight clinical laboratories including the clinical and forensic toxicology sections.

Chief Toxicologist, El Paso County Coroner’s Office (1971-2004).  Developed a full scale toxicology laboratory and conducted research on development of analytical methods to identify and confirm licit and illicit drugs and toxic substances in post-mortem specimens and drug distribution into skin and adipose tissues.  Published numerous articles in peer reviewed journals and gave presentations locally, nationally, and internationally on various aspects of forensic toxicology.  Recognized in county, district and federal courts as an expert witness with over 75 court appearances involving DUI with alcohol and/or drugs to homicide cases.

Honorarium, Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (1974-1979 and 2004-present) and the Health Sciences Department (2002-present).  Current research interests include the development of analytical methods using isotopic dilution techniques incorporating the simultaneous use of several different radio-labeled drug analogs as internal standards, the role of anti-depressant and anti-psychotic drugs on neurotransmission in filicide (child murder by parents) cases, and the significance of alternative biological specimens to monitor recent drug usage (sweat, saliva, hair, etc. vs. urine).    

 

Glenda R. Reimer, DNSc, MBA, RN

Dr. Glenda R. Reimer is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.  Her research focus is related to Survivorship:  Resilience and Learned Resourcefulness in Battered Women.  She has been a practitioner and educator within health care delivery for the past 35 years.

PROGRAM COORDINATORS

• Glenda Reimer, PhD, RN
• Virginia Lynch, MSN, RN, FAAN

ADDRESS

Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
P.O. Box 7150 UH-1
Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7150
General Phone: 719.262.4422
Admissions Phone: 719.262.3000 or 800.990.UCCS
Admissions E-mail: admrec@mail.uccs.edu