How to become a forensic nurse in Australia

Trigger warning: This article covers themes related to physical and sexual abuse, trauma and mental illness, which may be distressing for some individuals. Reader discretion is advised.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed that in 2024, 362,800 Australians experienced physical assault. Data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study showed that in 2023, 28.5 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over experienced sexual abuse. This impact occurred across communities with varying demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds.

As rates of physical abuse, domestic and family violence and other forms of interpersonal violence continue to rise, the need for skilled forensic nurses has never been more urgent. Forensic nurses play an important role at the convergence of clinical care and the legal system.

This article covers how to become a forensic nurse in Australia, including postgraduate courses that equip you with the necessary skills to pursue this nursing specialisation. We also cover the typical responsibilities, work environments and skills required to be successful in this career path.

What is forensic nursing?

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Forensic nursing is a specialisation that intersects the provision of healthcare with the legal and criminal justice system. It involves registered nurses with advanced training in forensics, which enables them to combine their clinical expertise with skills in the collection of evidence and support of criminal investigations.

This field is a burgeoning specialisation in Australia. This nursing career path was founded by American nurse Virginia Lynch, following her initial interest in crime investigations during her nursing studies. In the context of interpersonal violence, she recognised that the appropriate collection and preservation of evidence when patients first seek medical care could influence legal outcomes for victims and criminals in a court proceeding.

Nurses in these roles provide an important dual purpose of addressing the complex emotional and physical needs of patients, as well as their legal rights when receiving nursing care. They are crucial in ensuring patients have a voice and agency within the medical and legal systems equally.

Steps to becoming a forensic nurse

To become a forensic nurse in Australia, you first need to become a registered nurse and gain nursing experience in relevant mental health, correctional institutions, women’s health or sexual health settings. Next, you need to complete forensic nursing postgraduate study and then apply for a role in this specialised field.

Here are the steps to follow if you want to become a forensic nurse.

1. Consider if this is the right career path for you
   There are many nursing specialisations to consider. What is it about forensic nursing that has piqued your interest?

   To determine whether a career in forensic nursing is right for you, start by reflecting on the time investment required to complete your studies. You should also consider your career goals, natural strengths and the skills you hope to develop as a nurse.

   Understanding how long it takes to become qualified as a forensic nurse can help you in the decision-making process. It may take between three and five years to complete your nursing qualifications, gain nursing experience and finish your postgraduate studies.

   The nature of this role may present some challenges. For example, working with vulnerable people who have experienced abuse and trauma can be a distressing element of the job. Similarly, attending court hearings and being involved in legal matters, sometimes for lengthy periods, may also be emotionally difficult. It’s essential to take into account these aspects of forensic nursing and decide whether a role in this field would suit you.

   If you have an interest in trauma-informed care, patient advocacy and you understand the importance of cultivating resilience, then you may be well-suited to a career as a forensic nurse.

2. Complete your nursing degree
   To become a forensic nurse, you’ll first need to complete a nursing degree to become a registered nurse. The typical pathway toward this qualification is to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which is approximately three years’ duration full-time.

   Another pathway into nursing is to complete a Master of Nursing graduate entry program. This is a faster option, taking approximately two years to complete full-time and is suitable for you if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field.

3. Obtain your nursing registration
   Once you’ve completed your nursing degree, you need to obtain your nursing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). This registration is compulsory for all nurses practising in Australia and must be renewed each year.

   Do you have an overseas nursing qualification?

   If so, you may be eligible for registration as a nurse in Australia. The NMBA assesses international qualifications to determine their equivalence to Australian standards. Their assessment is on a case-by-case basis and if you don’t qualify, they provide alternative pathways toward obtaining registration so you can practise nursing in Australia.

4. Gain nursing experience
   An important part of becoming a forensic nurse is gaining experience in fields relevant to your future roles. You’ll gain valuable insights and build your expertise in supporting vulnerable patients. Healthcare areas that could support your trajectory towards forensic nursing include mental health, emergency medicine, women’s health and sexual health.

   As you work with a variety of patient types across various settings, you’ll build the confidence to respond to patients in crucial situations with empathy and precision. You’ll also gain knowledge of working with multidisciplinary teams, which may include a combination of healthcare professionals and law enforcement officials.

   Your accumulated experience can also help establish your decision on whether forensic nursing is a specialisation you want to pursue. Moreover, you may acquire a competitive advantage in the job market once you seek and apply for forensic nursing roles due to your work experience. You’ll have real-world, demonstrable skills that help prospective employers view you as an asset to forensic nursing roles.

5. Complete forensic nursing postgraduate study
   Once you have gained valuable nursing experience, you’ll need to complete a postgraduate degree in forensic nursing.

   Monash University offers a Graduate Certificate of Forensic Nursing and Midwifery. This course helps you learn about Australian health law and ethics and the role of health professionals involved in assault cases. You’ll understand how to document forensic evidence, prepare medico-legal reports and give evidence in court proceedings.

   If you have a special interest in mental health, you may wish to pursue further study in forensic mental health.

   Swinburne University of Technology offers a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing and a Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing. These courses are suitable for registered nurses or qualified mental health nurses, providing the essential skills and knowledge required for this unique and dynamic area of practice.

6. Start applying for forensic nursing jobs
   At this point, you’ll have the qualifications and experience to become a forensic registered nurse, so you can begin exploring forensic nursing or forensic mental health nursing jobs. Employment opportunities may be available through job platforms, such as SEEK, Indeed or LinkedIn. You should also consult your professional network to see if there are any roles available that interest you.

   Depending on your area of interest, you can pursue roles in women’s health, emergency care or forensic mental health nurse roles in correctional institutions, mental health or general nursing settings.

   You can also explore job openings at nursing and specialist associations relevant to the forensic medicine field, such as the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses or Forensic And Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Australia. These organisations can provide education, support and collaboration opportunities applicable to your career path in forensic nursing.

What does a forensic nurse do?

Forensic nurses care for people affected by violence or abuse, addressing their medical needs and collecting evidence related to the incident that could later be used in legal proceedings.

Depending on the specific role and workplace setting, the typical responsibilities of forensic nurses include:

• Attending to patients requiring acute medical care due to sexual assault, domestic and family violence or elder abuse
• Providing nursing care to patients with acute injuries and trauma, which may include pain management, wound care, emergency contraception and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening
• Documenting accurate clinical records and collecting physical evidence aligned with medical and forensic standards
• Communicating with patients and their families and offering recommendations for follow-up medical care, further testing and referrals
• Providing expert witness testimonies in court proceedings
• Assisting with postmortem examinations

What is a forensic medical exam?

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A forensic medical exam helps ensure that forensic evidence is collected correctly while patients receive the best possible nursing care.

It may be completed as part of an investigation and police report or as a stand-alone medical examination. The primary goal is to collect evidence that can be used in a future criminal proceeding.

It forms an important aspect of a forensic nurse's role. The process of a forensic medical exam is as follows:

1. Obtaining informed consent

Patients meet with the forensic nurse who will thoroughly explain the process, answer questions and ensure the patient understands what will happen throughout the examination. Nurses provide reassurance to patients that this process is entirely voluntary and they can decline any aspect of treatment as well as withdraw their consent at any point if needed. It is recommended that patients have a family member, friend or social worker present, who can provide valuable support during the exam process.

2. History taking and documentation

The forensic nurse will ask the patient to provide a detailed account of the incident and write a summary in the patient's words. In the context of assault, biological and physical evidence should ideally be gathered and a forensic exam conducted within 72 hours or up to a week of the incident. This is because saliva, DNA or other bodily fluids can degrade over time and minor physical injuries can heal within a few days, potentially jeopardising evidence. Moreover, reporting a recent account can help corroborate the victim’s description and experience of the event, which helps strengthen their legal testimony.

3. Conducting the forensic examination

The examination process usually involves the patient changing into a gown so the forensic nurse can conduct a full physical examination. They will examine the patient from head to toe, and in some cases, may conduct an internal examination to check for injuries. Forensic nurses may collect biological tissue and fluid samples, such as blood, fingerprints, saliva, urine, hair and skin. They may collect clothing, and with express consent, may take photographs of any injuries or physical items. A full forensic medical report is then typically written.

4. Collecting and preserving evidence

The evidence collected following the exam is carefully secured in a special kit and sent for analysis. Samples can be analysed to detect DNA for identification or for the presence of drugs, alcohol or other substances. Other physical evidence can be analysed to detect the presence of natural or synthetic fibres as well as any foreign matter that helps the investigation process. If a police report has been filed, the analysis process is carried out by the police department overseeing the investigation or otherwise through the healthcare facility conducting the exam.

5. Support and follow-up care

Essential care is provided to the patient at the cessation of their examination to support their current and ongoing health needs. Repeat testing for STIs and follow-up care for any acute medical concerns is typically included as part of a forensic medical exam. Referrals to counsellors or psychologists to support patients’ emotional and mental health needs are also provided. Social workers may also support the ongoing broader or practical needs of patients, such as facilitating financial aid, legal or welfare services.

Note: Each Australian state and territory has their own legislation regarding the collection, use and storage of DNA samples, therefore, the forensic exam process may differ slightly in each jurisdiction to comply with their respective laws.

Where do forensic nurses work?

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Forensic nurse salary

The average salary for forensic nurses in Australia is $91,000 annually. Salaries for forensic nurses may vary depending on experience level, specific employment and location.

Entry-level positions may start at $80,000 per year, while experienced forensic nurses can make up to $133,000 annually.

Differences between forensic nursing and forensic mental health nursing

Forensic nursing and forensic mental health nursing are both specialised fields that intersect healthcare and the legal system. While there is some broad overlap in these roles, each has some distinct responsibilities, qualifications and areas of practice.

Forensic nurses focus primarily on providing nursing care to individuals affected by crime, including victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and physical assault. They are qualified to conduct forensic medical exams, collect evidence for medico-legal reporting and provide supportive, trauma-informed care to patients. They may work in a variety of healthcare settings and may collaborate with police and forensic medical teams to provide expert testimony in court proceedings.

Conversely, forensic mental health nurses are a specialisation within psychiatric or mental health nursing. These nurses work with people diagnosed with mental illnesses and those convicted of serious crimes. They may conduct mental health assessments, provide crisis intervention, deliver ongoing treatment and manage risks related to offending behaviours. Their aim is to support the process of rehabilitation, balancing the needs of the patient with the needs of the community and legal requirements. They may work in psychiatric facilities, correctional institutions and collaborate with law enforcement officials for mutually optimal outcomes.

The typical qualifications for forensic nurses include a nursing degree and additional postgraduate training in forensic nursing. Forensic mental health nurses typically have a nursing degree and may have additional postgraduate qualifications in mental health nursing, plus further forensic mental health nursing qualifications.

The main difference lies in the patients they support. Forensic nurses provide clinical and forensic support to victims of assault and crimes, whereas forensic mental health nurses support accused offenders or those convicted of serious crimes with a mental illness. Both roles provide essential, compassionate and legally-informed care to patients.

Skills for forensic nurses to cultivate

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There are many nursing skills that can support your role as a forensic nurse, including:

1. Patient advocacy

Advocating for your patients as a forensic nurse is a key part of the role. You’ll provide an important bridge for patients between receiving essential care and giving them a voice in the case of victimisation. Caring for patients, providing safety and choice and advocating for their wellbeing and legal rights allows you to play a valuable part in their immediate and long-term recovery.

2. Effective communication

As a forensic nurse, you’ll be working with vulnerable and potentially traumatised patients. In some cases, these patients will also have a mental illness. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate effective communication to ensure your patients understand the entire medico-legal process, including a forensic examination if required. You will also need to demonstrate effective written communication skills with report writing and evidence documentation as part of your role.

3. Critical thinking

Thinking critically is an important skill for forensic nurses to cultivate to perform their role successfully. These roles involve the ability to assess physical injuries, your patients’ emotional state, collect evidence and make accurate decisions in a timely manner. You’ll need to make decisions about the presenting situation to determine the right next steps for your patient, both medically and legally.

4. Resilience

As you’ll be working closely with victims of violence, abuse and trauma or with patients diagnosed with mental illnesses, the nature of this work can take an emotional toll. Developing resilience in your role allows you to keep a healthy boundary between yourself and the care you provide to your patients. You’ll be able to cultivate stability in times of high pressure, manage vicarious trauma risks and mitigate burnout while supporting vulnerable patients.

5. Empathy

To perform your role effectively as a forensic nurse, you need to be compassionate and empathetic. The emotional and psychological damage inflicted on patients due to certain events can be enduring and life-altering. These people may be in shock, scared and feeling confused about what has happened to them. You should aim to build trust, listen actively without judgement and believe their story when they present for medical care.

6. Detail-oriented

Paying close attention to your patient, their background and their account is another essential aspect of forensic nursing. Being detail-oriented means you can assess the patient accurately, look for clues or less obvious signs of trauma and respond effectively to address their needs. This is also important for completing forensic medical reports, where a detailed record becomes a legal document that may be used in a court proceeding as supporting or refuting evidence.

7. Trauma-informed

Establishing a trauma-informed practice is another key element to effectively supporting patients in their short and long-term recovery from abuse or injury. It’s important to acknowledge and validate their experience, while giving them choice, options and information regarding their medical care and available legal pathways. Taking into account their cultural, gender-based or historical factors from their history is also vital in providing trauma-informed care.

Explore a unique career as a forensic nurse

Forensic nursing careers are diverse and distinct from other nursing specialisations. You’ll provide frontline care to patients who have experienced physical trauma, abuse or assault while also playing a part in the legal process to support their recovery. In mental health settings, you’ll be instrumental in ensuring the overall wellbeing of patients as well as public safety within a legal context.

If this career path sounds like a pursuit you are interested in, explore forensic nursing courses and enquire with our Education Consultant, who can help you with your enquiry.

At GlobalHealth Education, we partner with universities to offer postgraduate healthcare courses in a range of fields. We also showcase courses from various respected Australian universities.

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