Forensic web watch--forensic nursing.

At times the boundaries between medicine and other allied health care professions becomes blurred such that roles historically undertaken by doctors are today undertaken by others often, in fact, more suited to the role. At the time of conception and implementation this exchange of duties may not be accepted by those trapped within the traditions of the hierarchy of medicine which often leads to conflict between the two groups who initially have to work side by side. A good example of the exchange of duties and the differences of forensic practice throughout the world is that of the role of the nurse in death and forensic investigation. This web watch will draw attention to sites dedicated to forensic nursing and highlight the roles which have been taken on by nurses, predominately within the United States, which have traditionally been viewed as the arena of the doctor.

A 51-year retrospective study of the trends of height, weight and body mass index at the time of death in those aged 16-103.

The study investigates the trends in survival age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in both genders for those aged 16-103 at the time of death. It also investigates the trend in the proportion of the population classified as obese using data extracted from 37,206 autopsy reports spanning the period 1947-1997. The data was analysed using the computerised statistical software SPSS with tables and figures produced of mean values per investigation value per sex per 10-year age group per decade. The data confirmed reported trends that the population is getting older, taller and heavier with the mean BMI increasing such that the proportion of individuals who can be classified as obese is increasing. These trends will potentially have an impact on healthcare as more people will have an increased risk of associated morbidity and mortality, as well as an implication on welfare and housing for the increasingly elderly population.

Her Majesty's coroners and home office forensic pathologists perception of the nurses' role in the coroner's enquiry.

A study was performed to elicit the perceived role of the registered nurse in the coroner's enquiry from Her Majesty's coroners and Home Office forensic pathologists viewpoint. A qualitative small sample study of unstructured interviews was performed followed by a quantitative and qualitative survey of all 134 coroners and 44 forensic pathologists practising in England and Wales. 72 (53.5%) coroners and 26 (59.1%) forensic pathologists finally participated in the study of which 51% perceived that there was a role for the nurse in the coroner's enquiry. Roles identified included: actual i. e. keeping records, being conversant with nursing policies and "knowing" ("Knowing" means having knowledge about coroners' enquiries); potential i.e. resource provider, communicator, supporter, presencing, evidence giver and stewardship; and future i. e. certifying the fact of death and being an expert witness. Possible action by the registered nurse to embrace the outcome of this study is put forward.

The nature of philosophy of science, theory and knowledge relating to nursing and professionalism.

It appears that nursing has devoted an extravagant amount of concentration to the subject of professionalism and professionalization. Consequently, it has created and persists to create some proportion of controversy amid nursing authors, particularly in the Western World at the present time. According to Silva, philosophy, knowledge and theory are intrinsically linked. These notions are important to consider independently and to clarify their relationships, if nursing's knowledge base is to be built on a strong foundation. Perhaps then, if nursing wishes to continue on the trail of professionalization, nurses need to return to and reconsider its foundations and accomplishments. The aim of this discussion paper is to explore the nature of the philosophy of science, knowledge and theory and their interrelationships, with particular reference to professionalization by considering where nursing has come from and consequently the way forward to ascertaining professional status.