Forensic Health Online Curriculum

Victims of trauma can be more effectively supported when health care and other allied professionals are educated about relevant legal and forensic procedures

Summary

The goal of this project was to address the gap between clinical practitioners, criminal justice staff, and forensic science specialists in the effective handling of individuals who have suffered through traumatic incidents. Mount Royal College developed a multi-disciplinary, distance education program in the field of Forensic Health studies. The program was directed at working professionals in the fields of corrections, health care, law and other areas that deal directly with the victims and perpetrators of trauma. This project resulted in the development of six distance education course modules, designed to bridge the gap in education for working professionals in order to ensure that the victims and perpetrators of trauma were not further subject to a violation of their rights or miscarriage of justice at the hands of intervening agencies.

Grant Outputs

Forensic Studies Certificate – http://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/HealthCommunityStudies/Programs/ForensicStudiesCertificate/index.htm

This project resulted in the development of a certificate course program in forensic health studies. The program was designed to teach nurses, physicians, social workers, scientists, mental health professionals, police officers, lawyers, laboratory technicians, paramedics and other professionals in related fields the skills to conduct forensic investigations of living victims. Students learn the clinical and scientific skill set needed to properly preserve, collect and document legal, health related evidence, and to provide appropriate care for victims of trauma and abuse.