Impact of training in forensic sciences

Abstract

Introduction

Violence and its subsequent trauma are currently a worldly serious public health problem, so it emerges the need for the professionals who deal with them to have updated knowledge on good practices programs. Among others, it may be considered themes such as protection and victims approach; evaluation and/or assistance to the aggressor; collection and preservation of forensic evidences; communication, documentation and chain of custody. With this purpose, forensic sciences, which embrace a wide range of scientific disciplines, are working together and join their knowledge to help justice solving medico-legal situations. Therefore there is the need to implement initial and continuous training programs in forensic science’s fields.

Objectives

To assess the impact of a short course training in forensic sciences at the level of knowledge about forensic practices (FP);

To determine the variability at the level of knowledge of forensic practice (FP) according to gender and age.

Methods

The cross descriptive study was conducted in a non-probabilistic convenience sample with 72 participants, on a first assessment stage, and 51 participants on the second stage. Samples were constituted mainly by women: 84.7% and 82.4% respectively, with a mean age of 28.62 years old and 30.23 years old on the second assessment.

It was applied the Knowledge Questionnaire on Forensic Practices adapted from QCPEF by Cunha & Liborio (2012) cit in Liborio (2012) and Cunha, Liborio & Coelho (2016).

Results

After attending the short course in forensic sciences, graduates rose, on average, their knowledge about forensic practice, including forensic concepts, forensic situations, forensic evidences, communication and documentation in forensic sciences, general care and preservation of forensic evidences. There was a better knowledge at the dimensions of: preservation of forensic evidences (Before: M = 15.94 vs. After: M = 18.55), and forensic concepts (Before: M = 6.93 vs. After: M = 8.20) .

After training, participants have also increased generally their knowledge (Global Score on the knowledge of the Forensic Practice - Before: M = 62.61 vs. After: M = 68.59). The differences between the two moments of assessment were significant (test t for paired sample t = -7.628; p = 0.000).

Conclusions

It was inferred that the trainees, after attending the course, exhibited a better knowledge of forensic practices. We can conclude that the course had a positive impact once it increased the level of general knowledge.

The results confirmed the importance of specific training to ensure knowledge in the field of forensic sciences. Thus, to improve the quality of care to victims and/or perpetrators of crimes and in order to aid justice preserving evidence with forensic value, academic courses in nursing should include contents that provide professionals updated knowledge and/or skills.