Knowledge, attitudes & practices of urgent care providers in Barbados regarding forensic cases and evidence collection

Abstract

Background

Emergency room (ER) urgent care professionals (UCPs) are often the first point of contact for cases inclusive of intimate partner violence, blunt trauma, penetrating trauma and sexual assault. These are potential forensic cases which put UCPs in contact with forensic evidence. UCPs care for both victims and perpetrators of a crime. It is important for UCPs to provide healthcare and be able to take actions when they encounter evidence that can be useful in a forensic investigation. In Barbados between 2019 and 2020 there were 36,833 emergency room visits, an average of 20 cases/year (0.05 %) were identified as forensic (1). The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes of UCPs in ERs in Barbados regarding forensic science and evidence in order to put meaningful interventions in place.

Methods

UCPs were recruited from a convenience sample from public and private ERs using a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. 105 UCPs met the inclusion criteria, they practiced in six ERs. The highest percentage of participants were doctors and nurses. UCPs who met the inclusion criteria were surveyed using a four-part questionnaire on demographics, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes.

Results

The average knowledge score of participants was 68 %. The highest mean knowledge scores were among doctors and nurses. The lowest knowledge score was on “what is forensic evidence”. On behaviours, 13 % accurately evaluated patients as potential forensic cases, 76.5 % of participants answered “never” to use of tamper evident bags and 90.6 % said their ER did not have evidence kits/trolleys, 13.3 % had received courtroom testimony training. Concerning attitudes 39 % of the respondents believed that victims and perpetrators deserve equal care, 68 % believed that victims have a right to refuse care and 67 % believed that forensic evidence was important in their practice.

Conclusion

Participants showed adequate knowledge about what forensic evidence means and how it can be applied to practice. Absence of evidence kits in the ER impacts visibility to UCPs. There is need for training in their use and what their presence implies.