Forensic nurses play a critical role in providing comprehensive healthcare and medical forensic exams for patients affected by violence. The quality of these examinations—to include assessment, identification of findings, and documentation—directly impacts patient and legal outcomes. Peer review is a critical component of our professional practice, fostering accountability, continuous learning, and quality improvement. Furthermore, a robust peer review process supports adherence to best practices and bolsters the credibility of the forensic examination process. This presentation will detail a high-quality peer review process designed to support the quality of care and documentation in medical forensic exams. Case studies will be explored that include injury, as well as potential mimics and nonspecific findings, to assist the forensic nurse in identifying complex findings.

OBJECTIVES

• Identify normal and abnormal assessment findings seen in medical forensic examinations
• Discuss implications for practice improvement and changes based on case presentations
• Describe opportunities to promote strategies for peer review in forensic healthcare practice

PRESENTER(S) 

Christine Foote-Lucero, MSN, RN, CEN, SANE-A, SANE-P, AFN-C, DF-AFN Christine Foote-Lucero has been a licensed Registered Nurse since 2002, and obtained her master’s degree in forensic nursing in 2019. Her clinical background includes Emergency Department (ED) Nursing, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nursing, Forensic Nursing, and Nursing Professional Development. In 2017, she developed a comprehensive Forensic Nursing program that responded to all patients affected by violence, and currently works as a Forensic Specialist. Her clinical experiences as a forensic nurse have included death investigation and correctional nursing, as well as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, physical assault, strangulation, elder abuse, child abuse, and human trafficking. She holds four board certifications, including Certified Emergency Nurse, Sexual Assault Examiner for Adolescents and Adults, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for Pediatrics, and Advanced Forensic Nurse. She also currently serves as the Treasurer for the Academy of Forensic Nursing (AFN) and chairs the AFN Journal Club.

Diana Faugno, MSN, RN, CPN, AFN-C, IVSE-C, SANE-A, SANE-P, FAAFS, DF-IAFN, DF-AFN Diana Faugno graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix. Faugno is a Founding Board Director for End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI). She is also a founding board member and past-president for the Academy of Forensic Nursing, as well as a retired-fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. She is a Distinguished Fellow in the International Association of Forensic Nurses and the Academy of Forensic Nursing. She currently is the nurse examiner at Live Safe resources in Dallas, Georgia. She was the nurse examiner at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center and Eisenhower Medical Center’s SART team for many years. She provides trainings throughout the country and is the co-author of numerous textbooks and papers on dealing with the forensic medical aspects of violence such as sexual assault, strangulation, and domestic violence.

Enduring Modules - This module originated on 9/17/2025 and will remain available for CE credit through 12/31/2027

Criteria for Successful Completion:

Live attendees must join the zoom link via the LMS site, be logged in for a minimum of 90% of the session, and successfully complete the attestation and evaluation. Upon completion, a CE certificate for 1.25 contact hours will be awarded. 

Recordings of the live session will be made available within one week of the live date. 

Asynchronous attendees must utilize the LMS to obtain resource information (if available), view 100% of recording(s), complete all modules, and successfully complete the attestation and evaluation. Upon completion, a CE certificate for 1.25 contact hours will be awarded.

No relevant financial relationships exist for any individuals in a position to control content of this educational activity.

NOTE:

The Academy of Forensic Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.