Role of Nursing in Medico-Legal Cases: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Medico-legal cases involve the intersection of healthcare and the legal system, requiring healthcare professionals
to deliver appropriate clinical care while preserving forensic evidence. Forensic nursing has emerged as a specialised discipline
that combines nursing science with forensic principles to improve patient care and support the administration of justice.
Objective: To review the current literature on the roles, responsibilities, and contributions of forensic nurses in the management
of medico-legal cases and to identify challenges and future directions for forensic nursing practice.
Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed articles
published in English between 2015 and 2025 were searched using the keywords forensic nursing, medico-legal cases, sexual
assault nurse examiner (SANE), evidence collection, and victim advocacy. Relevant studies addressing the role of forensic
nurses in clinical and legal settings were included and synthesised thematically.
Results: The reviewed literature consistently demonstrates that forensic nurses play a pivotal role in evidence collection and
preservation, accurate medico-legal documentation, trauma-informed patient care, victim advocacy, and collaboration with law
enforcement and judicial authorities. The evidence also highlights the positive impact of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
programmes on the quality of forensic evidence, patient satisfaction, and legal outcomes. Despite these benefits, challenges
remain, including inadequate training, limited institutional support, workforce shortages, and the absence of standardised
forensic nursing services in many healthcare systems.
Conclusion: Forensic nurses make substantial contributions to both healthcare and the justice system by integrating clinical
expertise with forensic principles. Expanding forensic nursing education, strengthening institutional policies, and establishing
standardised forensic nursing services are essential to improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of medico-legal
investigations.