Scottsdale Healthcare Forensic Nurse Examiner Program

The Scottsdale Healthcare Forensic Nurse Examiner program provides personalized comprehensive care to patients that have experienced interpersonal violence, such as sexual assault. Since the inception of the program in 1998, the Scottsdale Healthcare Forensic Nurse Examiners have cared for over 9,000 patients. 

The Forensic Nurses have each undergone more than 100 hours of classroom and clinical training and are available 24 hours a day. Their primary role is to conduct a medical forensic examination, which includes the collection of evidence, offering resources, and providing expert testimony. In addition, they speak to various community groups in an effort to raise sexual assault awareness. 

Victims are seen at one of five advocacy centers located in Maricopa County. The nurses are notified by law enforcement and respond to the indicated advocacy center within one hour of the call to perform the medical-forensic examination.  If they require medical care beyond what is available at an advocacy center, the forensic nurses respond to the hospital to perform the medical-forensic exam. 

In January, 2009, the Scottsdale Healthcare Forensic Nurse Examiner program partnered with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to offer patients that were unsure if they wanted to speak with law enforcement the opportunity to have a medical-forensic examination in order to preserve evidence and give them time to make their decision.  For more information on this valuable community service please contact our Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) department at 480-312-6339.

Child Protection Team

The Child Protection Team (CPT) at Phoenix Children’s Hospital is part of a larger group of law enforcement, prosecution, social service agencies, medical professionals and mental health clinicians – all working to provide a safe, secure environment for victims of child maltreatment, including physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and drug exposure.

Phoenix Children’s CPT is staffed by three highly trained pediatricians, two nurse practitioners, three medical assistants, and a forensic interviewer. There is also a fellowship program. On call 24-hours a day, seven days a week, the team’s primary role is to provide medical exams and forensic interviews on a moment’s notice. They help investigators interpret medical records and testify in several cases per year. Through medical assessment and support, the CPT is doing everything possible to restore safety and normalcy to the lives of the children and families affected by abuse.