Preservation of forensic traces by Nursing in emergency services: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective: to map the scientific production on the preservation of forensic traces by Nursing professionals working in emergency services. Method: a scoping review, with searches for studies carried out in six databases, in the gray literature available in Google Scholar and in the references of the studies selected. For analysis, the data reduction method was adopted. Results: 26 studies were included, organized into five categories: 1) Nursing professionals’ knowledge on the preservation of forensic traces; 2) Procedures performed by Nursing to preserve traces in the victim’s body; 3) Procedures performed by Nursing to preserve traces in the victim’s belongings/ objects; 4) Procedures performed by Nursing to document traces; and 5) Actions to maintain the chain of custody performed by Nursing. Conclusion: the studies showed situations in which the emergency nurse may act in the preservation of forensic traces present in the victim’s body and in objects, as well as in the registration of traces, verifying the role of Nursing to ensure integrity of the chain of custody, especially in situations of aggression, firearm injury, sexual violence, child abuse and assistance to trauma victims.