In this conversation, hosts Kalen and Karen welcome two Canadian experts, neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Ellis and forensic nurse leader Ashley Stewart, to spotlight the often overlooked reality of head trauma among survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Drawing comparisons to sport-related concussion, the guests unpack why healthcare systems lack proper protocols, how this gap harms patient outcomes, and what forensic nurses can do to help their patients get on the road to healing. We introduce the new IAFN IPV Head Trauma Toolkit—built to standardize screening, assessment, documentation, and safety planning—so clinicians can identify injuries earlier, refer appropriately, and improve patients’ recovery trajectories.

During Forensic Nurses Week (November 3-9), we explore the evolving concept of justice in forensic nursing practice. Guests Megan McCulley, the Forensic Nursing Program Manager and SANE/SAFE Project Director at Memorial Central Emergency Department in Colorado Springs, and Jenifer Markowitz, IAFN Education and Publications Director and Expert Consultant, share insights from their decades of experience about how the forensic nursing field has transformed from practice focused on criminal justice outcomes to comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare delivery. We invite you to join us and share your voice on social media with the #FNW2025 hashtag and reflect: what does justice mean to you in the context of forensic nursing?

Join Kalen and Karen as we celebrate National Healthcare Quality Week by diving deep into one of forensic nursing's most powerful quality improvement tools: peer review. In this engaging episode, we share a big announcement about YOU - our amazing listeners. We answer a listener’s question about tips on streamlining evidence collection in the Emergency Room (ER), and the best part? We invite you to develop essential peer review knowledge through an interactive TRUE/FALSE quiz and practical template guidance that will transform how you approach documentation review!

In observation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada and the upcoming Indigenous Peoples’ Day in America, this episode welcomes Kalen and Karen’s colleague Kelsey Morris from the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. As Project Manager for the National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault (NTCSA) at IAFN and a passionate advocate for tribal communities, Kelsey brings both professional expertise and personal, lived experience to discuss violence in tribal communities in the United States, systemic barriers to healthcare, and the importance of accessible and culturally competent trauma-informed care.

Today, hosts Karen and Kalen welcome Karin Wickwire, President of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) and an experienced forensic nursing clinical coordinator. We dive into pediatric medical forensic exams and the most sensitive, misunderstood, and critically important aspects of pediatric care in suspected abuse cases. Karin Wickwire brings her wealth of experience as a forensic nurse since 2012 and as a nurse practitioner for the Erie Care Clinic, a satellite of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital Advocacy Clinic. This important conversation delves into the nuances of pediatric forensic exams, multidisciplinary approaches, and the challenges forensic nurses face when working with children who are survivors of abuse.

Join hosts Kalen and Karen alongside special guest Laci Smith as they dive into therapeutic communication and boundary-setting during medical forensic exams. This highly-requested episode provides practical strategies for forensic nurses to establish rapport, maintain professional boundaries, and support patients through trauma while protecting their own well-being.

In this powerful conclusion to the two-part series, Kalen and Karen continue their essential conversation with Ava Davis about providing trauma-informed, gender-affirming care for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming patients in forensic nursing settings. Part 2 dives deep into practical applications, featuring a real-world case study that demonstrates both the challenges and solutions in forensic nursing practice. We cover gender-affirming medical treatments, appropriate history gathering techniques, handling mistakes, and the critical importance of patient advocacy in healthcare settings. With detailed explanations of hormonal therapy, puberty inhibitors, and gender-affirming surgeries, this episode provides forensic nurses with the essential knowledge and tools needed to provide competent, compassionate care to gender-diverse patients. Don’t miss listening to Part 1!

In recognition of International Non-Binary People's Day (July 14), hosts Kalen and Karen welcome guest Ava Davis, a forensic teaching associate, actress, writer, and Sundance fellow. Ava joins us for this Part 1 of a crucial two-part series on providing gender-affirming care for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming patients in forensic nursing settings. This episode explores the significant rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the increased vulnerability of gender-diverse populations to violence, and the essential role forensic nurses play in creating safe, inclusive healthcare environments. With notable statistics and practical guidance, we emphasize that gender-affirming care isn't extra—it's essential healthcare.

In this insightful episode, hosts Kalen and Karen go beyond signatures and forms, diving deep into the nuances, challenges, and ethical complexities of consent in forensic nursing. They are unpacking the essential principles every healthcare professional should know about the consent process through real-life experiences, terminology breakdowns, and a compelling listener question. Tune in to this episode for vital takeaways for both new and seasoned forensic nurses!

In this special IAFN-Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) crossover episode, Kalen and Karen are joined by Ryan Oglesby, Board President of ENA, for a timely, insightful discussion about the essential—and evolving—relationship between forensic nurses and emergency nurses. From their personal stories to current joint organizational advocacy, this episode uncovers how working together improves patient outcomes, fosters holistic care, and creates a safer, more supportive work environment for healthcare professionals. Whether you are an ER nurse, forensic nurse, or just passionate about the future of trauma-informed patient care, this episode is packed with wisdom, clinical pearls, and resources.

In this illuminating episode, hosts Kalen and Karen shine a spotlight on Alternate Light Source (ALS) technology—a very powerful tool in the forensic nurse’s toolkit for revealing hidden injuries, especially on darker skin tones. Our expert guest, Dr. Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAAFS—a tenured Associate Professor (George Mason University) and renowned forensic nurse scientist, also known as “the paintball lady”—joins us to break down the science behind ALS, share actionable insights from her groundbreaking research and discuss the ethical implications, limitations, and future directions for ALS in both clinical practice and in the courtroom. Grab your goggles and let’s go beyond the visible!

As we celebrate National Nurses Week in May, Kalen and Karen take us on a fascinating journey through nursing history. Did you know that foundational concepts like trauma-informed care, confidentiality, and environmental healing date as far back to Florence Nightingale in the 1800s? We explore how the pioneering nurses and their ideas laid groundwork for modern practice while contrasting them with forensic nursing's recent emergence—still in its relative infancy despite its critical importance in healthcare today.

In this inspiring episode, we dive into the unique career journeys of three forensic nursing professionals. Through candid storytelling, Karen, Kalen, and our guest Margaret Glembocki reflect on their early jobs, pivotal career moments, and how unexpected opportunities—and networking—shaped their paths. If you're a healthcare and nursing professional looking to expand your role, hit play to listen to valuable relatable examples and get encouragement to pursue your next steps thoughtfully and boldly – from stories of army and bedside nursing to Law & Order TV show technical advisor journeys.

In this bonus episode, Karen and Kalen break down the pre- and post- IAFN 2025 Conference workshops—plus all the fun things to do in Omaha while you’re there!

In this second part of our two-part discussion on forensic nurses’ response to child maltreatment, in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, we dive deeper into mandatory reporting as part of the critical role that forensic nurses play in bridging healthcare and the legal system. Our guest, Jennifer Pierce-Weeks, Chief Executive Officer of IAFN, shares a compelling case study that highlights gaps in the current child maltreatment response system and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. Tune in as we explore how forensic nurses can ensure that children receive the protection and care they deserve.

In observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, Part 1 of our two-part series explores the risk and protective factors related to child maltreatment, with a particular focus on healthcare and forensic nursing. In today’s episode, we are joined by Jennifer Pierce-Weeks, Chief Executive Officer of IAFN, as we discuss our experiences working with this vulnerable patient population. We also highlight the critical role that social support, proper patient care, and education play in preventing child abuse.

Workplace violence is a harsh reality for many healthcare professionals, yet it's often overlooked or minimized. In this episode, Kalen and Karen take a deep dive into how forensic nurses can step in to support their colleagues who experience violence on the job. They bust the stubborn workplace violence myths and discuss the importance of ensuring that those who care for others receive the same level of care and advocacy when they become victims themselves. Beyond addressing individual cases, this conversation highlights the larger systemic challenges forensic nurses face, including pushback from those in a position of authority, navigating hospital policies, and ensuring that patient rights remain the top priority.

In this insightful episode, we dive into the critical role forensic nurses play in death investigations. Our expert guests, coroners Dr. Annette Cannon and Bobbi Jo O'Neal, share their unique experiences as elected coroners, highlighting the importance of humility, mentorship, and building trust in the field. We discuss the reality of working in medical-legal death investigations, debunking the "CSI effect," and emphasizing the skills that truly matter in the profession. Whether you're a seasoned forensic nurse or just curious about this field, this conversation will provide expert insights into the critical role forensic nurses play in death investigations, how they bridge the gap between medicine and law, and why their work is essential in ensuring justice and supporting families.

In this episode, hosts Karen and Kalen welcome a very special guest, Christina Presenti, our Membership Director here at IAFN. We explore the vital role forensic nurses play in advocacy and legislative efforts and discuss how forensic nurses can impact policy at local, state, and federal levels. We also share personal experiences with policy and bills work and provide actionable steps for getting involved in legislative work. If you've ever wondered how your voice can shape laws that impact healthcare and survivors of violence, this episode is for you!

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Forensic Nursing: Beyond the Evidence! In this first podcast episode, hosts Karen Carroll and Kalen Knight share their unique journeys into forensic nursing careers and discuss how their shared passion for helping survivors of violence drives their work as forensic nurses. From unexpected opportunities in death investigation to leadership roles in forensic nursing programs, this episode dives deep into the challenges and rewards of this vital healthcare specialty.