Forensic Nursing: Beyond the Evidence

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.

Key Episode Learnings:

• Learn how proper communication techniques...

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...

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+ legisla...

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 bot...

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, a...

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 br...

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 emergenc...

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.

How did experiences ranging from working as cashiers, bussers, and candy stripers evolve into impactful careers as forensic nurses,...

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!

From building courtroom testimony confidence to upskilling your hands-on forensic photography, these immersive sessions offer valuable CE credits and expert instruction for every forensic nurse. With limited spots available, early registration is a must!

And what about when the...

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 chil...

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 so...

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...

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 ski...

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 yo...

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 dee...