Evidence Collection Process Flashcards
7 cards from real CFN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Evidence Collection Process flashcards as text
A SANE nurse is caring for a pediatric patient (age 8) reporting sexual abuse. Who must provide consent for evidence collection?
Answer: A parent or legal guardian, unless they are the alleged perpetrator
A parent or legal guardian must provide consent for a minor's examination, but if the guardian is the alleged perpetrator, alternate legal authorization must be obtained.
Which of the following BEST describes the role of the forensic nurse when law enforcement requests that evidence be collected but the patient refuses?
Answer: Respect patient autonomy and decline to collect evidence without consent
Patient autonomy is paramount; evidence cannot be collected without informed consent regardless of law enforcement requests.
When collecting dried blood evidence from intact skin, what technique should the forensic nurse use?
Answer: Moisten the area with distilled water and swab, then follow with a dry swab
The double-swab technique with a moistened swab followed by a dry swab is optimal for collecting dried biological material from skin surfaces.
A forensic nurse notes that the assault kit will not be submitted to the crime lab immediately. What is the appropriate storage condition for biological evidence?
Answer: Refrigerated at 2–8°C in a secured, designated evidence refrigerator
Biological evidence should be refrigerated at 2–8°C in a secured evidence refrigerator to retard degradation while maintaining chain of custody.
During evidence collection, the forensic nurse accidentally contaminates a swab by touching it to a non-target surface. What is the correct response?
Answer: Discard the contaminated swab, obtain a new one, and document the error in the collection record
A contaminated swab must be discarded and a new one used; the error must be documented transparently in the collection record to maintain chain of custody integrity.
What is the significance of collecting a 'known' buccal reference swab from the sexual assault victim?
Answer: It provides the victim's DNA profile to exclude their contributions from mixed DNA samples
The victim's reference buccal swab allows the forensic lab to subtract the victim's DNA profile from mixed samples, isolating the perpetrator's DNA.
A forensic nurse is asked to testify about the evidence collection process. Which type of testimony is the forensic nurse qualified to provide?
Answer: Expert witness testimony on forensic nursing standards and evidence collection procedures
A forensic nurse with appropriate training and credentials qualifies as an expert witness to testify about forensic nursing standards, evidence collection procedures, and findings.