Interdisciplinary Engagement to Enhance Court Testimony-Testimony Toolkit recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, organized by the International Forensic Nurses (IFN) and funded through the Office on Violence Against Women, features Patty Powers, a senior attorney advisor at Equitas, and Lacey Smith, a forensic nursing specialist with six years of experience. The session aims to better prepare clinicians and attorneys for the courtroom testimony process by discussing the Testimony Toolkit, which was developed to alleviate the anxiety associated with court testimonies. The audience includes clinicians involved in performing medical forensic exams and attorneys working with them.<br /><br />Attendees are informed that the webinar is recorded and available later on the safetya website. Contact hours for continuing education are available for IFN members who attend in full and complete an evaluation post-webinar. <br /><br />Key topics include:<br /><br />1. <strong>Role Definitions</strong>: Clarifying the roles of fact witnesses and expert witnesses. Fact witnesses discuss their direct observation and care provided, while expert witnesses provide opinions based on their expertise.<br /><br />2. <strong>Preparation</strong>: The significance of clinicians meeting with prosecutors well in advance to discuss the examination, medical findings, and possible cross-examination questions. Keeping CVs updated is also emphasized.<br /><br />3. <strong>Medical Forensic Exam</strong>: Clinicians need to be ready to explain the exam process, evidence collection, and document the patient's words and demeanor accurately. Use of neutral, patient-centered language is crucial. Normative terms like "normal" should be avoided for clarity in testimonies.<br /><br />4. <strong>Collaboration and Resources</strong>: The webinar emphasizes cross-training and collaborative efforts between clinicians and prosecutors to refine testifying skills and understand legal expectations. Utilizing the Testimony Toolkit within communities and state protocols is suggested.<br /><br />In summary, the webinar aims to improve clinician-attorney collaboration in court testimonies, providing practical strategies and emphasizing thorough preparation and clear communication.

Keywords

International Forensic Nurses

Office on Violence Against Women

Patty Powers

Lacey Smith

Testimony Toolkit

courtroom testimony

forensic nursing

medical forensic exams

continuing education

fact witnesses

expert witnesses

clinician-attorney collaboration