Foundations of Forensic Health Sciences FSCT 9810

In Canada, forensic health care and forensic nursing are emerging as a new concepts in both health care and areas where medical and legal issues overlap. This course will provide health care and allied health professionals, and criminal justice and other professions whose work intersects with components of the healthcare system with a foundation in the forensic health sciences and its application to clinical practice in Canada. The Criminal Code of Canada, provincial and federal laws will be discussed pertaining to individuals who may be the victim of non-intentional or intentional injuries or trauma, crime and violence. The specific areas of sexual violence and abuse, death investigation, child and elder maltreatment, interpersonal violence, drug and alcohol use and forensic psychiatrics/corrections will be described with respect to the forensic roles and responsibilities of professionals who work in the field of forensic health sciences. Recognition, collection and preservation of evidence and medicolegal documentation will be examined. The interlinking roles of forensic science, law enforcement, judicial and health care professionals are defined and explored as related to health care today and in the future. Instructors are industry experts from within healthcare, law enforcement, criminal justice and forensic sciences. Students will complete individual assignments and also work in groups to analyze data.