Introduction to the Practice of Forensic Nursing

Forensic nursing is a specialized domain within the nursing profession, integrating clinical nursing practice with legal and justice systems to deliver comprehensive care to individuals impacted by violence, trauma, abuse, neglect, and other criminal activities (1, 2). This chapter offers practice-oriented foundational knowledge concerning the competencies essential for forensic nursing practice within the Kenyan context. It underscores the nurse’s pivotal role in providing trauma-informed care, conducting forensic assessments, collecting and preserving evidence, documenting injuries, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams within healthcare and legal systems (3). The chapter further explores the contemporary challenges and emerging trends in the practice of forensic nursing in Kenya. Forensic nursing is identified as a critical area of practice that facilitates access to justice, bolsters health systems, and advances human rights and public safety, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts (4).