The Need for Forensic Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Medicolegal Death Investigation.

Abstract

▪ M edicolegaldeath investigation ismandatedacross theUnited States and serves the public interest by investigating and establishing cause and manner of death of those dying under sudden, unexpected, or suspicious circumstances. Medicolegal autopsies, completed by forensic pathologists (FPs), are a key component of many death investigations. However, there are not enough FPs in the United States to complete this work. It is estimated the United States currently has fewer than 500 FPs, whereas an estimated 1,280 are needed to fulfill the U.S. needs (Collins, 2015). At the current rate of recruitment, this gap may not close until 2046 (Collins, 2015; Weedn & Menendez, 2020). Past efforts to reduce the FP shortage through recruitment of medical students have not been successful; therefore, alternative strategies are warranted. One potential strategy is to draw from other medical fields. It is our contention that the integration of forensic nurse practitioners (NPs) in medicolegal death investigations may offer a novel, viable, and sustainable solution to the current FP workforce shortage.