Newsletter: September 2002: Forensic Healthcare Program Review

Since May the Forensic Healthcare Program has held three Advanced Leadership Seminars, drawing a sizeable audience of diverse professionals and is continuing to work to develop collaborative opportunities.

Medical Issues & Scientific Innovations In Sexual Assault Cases, a conference sponsored by the Kings County DA's Office, the Alliance, Long Island College Hospital and NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation, was held in May. Eleven presenters addressed topics including medical/forensic examinations, sexual assault examiner programs, forensic evidence collection, date rape drugs, DNA analysis and DNA data banks. Over one hundred people attended this highly successful seminar.

First Response: Trauma & Sexual Assault, a seminar developed with FDNY and REMSCO for paramedics, EMTs and other first responders, was held in June. The included topics covered patient care, improved collection of forensic evidence and the latest forensic technology, with a special presentation from the NYPD Crime Scene Unit.

The Realities of Starting a Sexual Assault Examiner Program was held in July at Bellevue Hospital. This seminar was designed to provide a realistic overview of SAE program development for New York City hospitals that are considering starting a program. Representatives from local programs discussed the program model, NY State Department of Health standards, training, competency-based precepting and equipment and staffing needs.

Ms. Towns is the former Director of the Forensic Healthcare Program at The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. [more]

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