**5. Forensic midwifery roles and responsibilities**

Forensic midwifery is a new concept and is a concept used together with medicine, law and criminology. It can also be seen as an example of innovation in terms of expanding the roles of midwives in the field of women's health and safety.

In this respect, the tasks of forensic midwifery; suspicion of violence against women and children, identification of statements, gathering of evidence, crisis intervention, and directing the necessary actions.

In this regard, midwives can work in emergency rooms, suicide prevention centers, rape crisis centers, crime scene investigations, death investigations, prisons, law offices and forensic pathology laboratories and at the same time as expert witnesses in court [17].

While the forensic midwife performs its roles and responsibilities, she is accompanied by a forensic team consisting of forensic scientists, forensic scientists, psychologists, gynecologists, social workers, members of the judiciary (judges, prosecutors, lawyers) and security members (police, gendarmerie) can work. In addition, forensic nurses can work with Forensic Medicine Institution, Forensic Medicine Institutes and expert institutions [30–33].

### **5.1. Collection of physical evidence**

rates according to the control group. Its use in pregnancy poses significant risks to both mother and fetus. In addition, when children who were exposed to intrauterine amphetamine were

About 250 million women smoke in the world. Nicotine and carbon monoxide adversely affect the development of fetus. Nicotine reduces vasoconstriction and uterine artery blood flow, while carbon monoxide reduces oxygen transport to fetal tissues. Circadian cyanide levels are higher in smokers and this substance has toxic effects on dividing cells. There is a relationship between low cigarette smoking, ectopic pregnancy, fetal growth retardation, ablative placenta, preterm birth, early rupture of membranes and low birth weight in preg-

Use of drugs by the health personnel and their awareness of the effects on the pregnant, fetus and newborn may enable them to be vigilant in this regard and take an active role in the policies to be set up for the prevention. In the determination of maternal substance and metabolites used in the baby, blood, urine, gaita saliva and hair analysis should be done besides mother's story. Although urine and blood tests provide information on the substance currently being used, hair analysis also gives an idea of the use of substances in the past. It is stated that newborn infants should not be satisfied with urine analysis but also meconium examination should be done. There are research findings indicating that substance metabolites have been detected

Knowledge of the characteristics of women with substance abuse is important for early detec-

• Those who have lived in an environment where domestic violence has been practiced.

• Those who have experienced physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect in the fam-

• In marriage, they are abused by their wives. Detection of pregnant women in early period and pregnant women using substance should be taken into intensive prenatal care program and substance use in pregnancy should be informed about adverse effects on fetus

Forensic midwifery is a new concept and is a concept used together with medicine, law and criminology. It can also be seen as an example of innovation in terms of expanding the roles

examined, a 1-year delay was found in school achievement at 14–15 years of age [28].

nancy. Perinatal mortality is more than 150% [29].

tion and intervention of risk groups. These features:

• Those who have not seen a positive parental role model.

**5. Forensic midwifery roles and responsibilities**

of midwives in the field of women's health and safety.

• Women who have not had a positive relationship with their parents.

in meconium of negative cases [29].

ily environment.

118 Selected Topics in Midwifery Care

and mother.

• Parents are drug addicts.

Evidence collection is one of the processes that are important in a review and the midwife is part of this process. The midwives should be sure that nothing has been missed by taking part in each of the techniques and stages of evidence collection. Criminal cases such as murder, rape, rape, traffic accidents are first applied to emergency services. Forensic midwives are inadvertently served by the investigator/investigator when a victim is brought to the emergency service. At this stage, the midwives evaluate and record all the data about the victim and the medical conditions, bruising, cuts, lacerations and places that require treatment. Forensic examinations may be assisted by civil servants in the case of saliva, sirens, lead, the removal of bullets from the body, and the evaluation of clothes and items of the victim for further examination. When physical evidence is collected, gloves must be worn to minimize contamination and to observe basic techniques and procedures. Anything remaining at the scene must be collected, and evidence that DNA analysis can be performed should be obtained by appropriate techniques.

They have more favorable conditions than other healthcare team members, such as having nursing nurses on the collection, preservation and storage of medical evidence. The midwives' sensitive attitudes about the collection, preservation and protection of forensic evidence provide for the identification and reporting of healthier and richer evidence in the judicial investigation process [34–36].

#### **5.2. Record of evidence**

It must be ensured that the medical records that are held are legally available. It should be avoided that the terminology is such as to ignore the evidence. The victim must use his/her expressions directly when taking the statement. The prescribed medical treatments should be recorded, the bruises and injuries should be indicated by color, number and size [34–36].

#### **5.3. Storage of evidence**

Health care institutions should develop procedures for recording and tracking suspect deaths. Standard practice procedures should be developed and the team should know how to act in a suspicious situation. All health professionals should know how to protect evidence and how to behave in judicial cases and follow these procedures [34–36].

**5.8. Pediatric forensic midwifery**

children experiencing ill-treatment [36, 37].

**5.10. Midwifery in rape crisis centers**

**5.11. Expertise**

and medical records.

**6. Discussion**

**5.9. Obstetrics and gynecology forensic midwifery**

tized, low, early or stillbirth- and as a witness when necessary [36, 37].

the place to stay at the center until he comes from the center [36, 37].

This field of midwife is responsible for monitoring the possibility of events such as acceptance and evaluation of child abuse and neglect cases, treatment, referral to preventive service units, domestic violence, battered child syndrome and sudden child death, monitoring and rehabilitation of the victim. Midwives are responsible for providing care to children who need help with issues such as abuse, neglect and violations of human rights. While they should provide care for children, it should be carefully assessed to see if there are any signs and symptoms of

Forensic Midwifery

121

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82222

This field-based midwife is responsible for taking and recording accurate and complete stories about the physical and psychological trauma of women, domestic violence, assessment of substance abuse in pregnancies, general follow-up of pregnant women allegedly trauma-

The nurse working in this area is required to make a visit to sexually assaulted persons, to ensure that evidence is collected and maintained in a proper and appropriate manner, to provide information to the victim and his relatives at every stage of the treatment, to ensure that the victim is safe to leave the center, to serve him in the rehabilitation and presentation of

Forensic midwives should be able to function in the application of neglect and malpractice

Midwives' activities are medical interventions and the conditions of activity and legal compliance are the same. Midwives who provide health care are the persons who are trained to provide medical services, are authorized to take medical care in the area where they are qualified and responsible for this action. Therefore, the important duties of the midwife in the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation of the factors that affect the health of women and pregnant (such as violence, rape, dependence) and the transfer of information between institutions (such as forensic institutions) are determined by the laws and regulations of the countries. The concept of forensic midwifery is important in terms of the effective use of the roles of advocates, practitioners, educators and researchers. Therefore, although the duties and responsibilities of the forensic nurses in the world are defined within the scope of occupational characteristics and ethical principles, they should add studies on the forensic midwives to the theoretical and

practical applications of midwives working in the field of women's health.

### **5.4. Provision of evidence protection chain**

As you walk through the evidence, each person should record the date and time they opened the package. In this way, the disappearance of evidence can be prevented. You should be asked to write the name, surname, job and department you are evaluating. The duration of the evidence chain and evidence must be kept as short as possible. Precautions must be taken to ensure that the evidences are not altered and that they are not affected by external conditions when the collected evidence is sent into or out of the institution [34–36].

#### **5.5. Testimony in court**

Forensic examinations can be witnessed in courts. If the midwife is called as a witness to a court; should be consistent with the written statements and the resulting physical evidence collected. The use of improper terminology can make it more difficult to enlighten. The terms used in the emblem should be in a way that everyone understands, and the possible causes and mechanisms of injury should be understood and explained appropriately. It should be avoided to give an idea about the issues outside the field of expertise. By following these steps and collecting the appropriate evidence, the victim's fear of the legal system can be avoided [37, 38].

In this context, we can list the specific areas where judges can fulfill their roles and responsibilities as follows;

#### **5.6. Clinical forensic midwifery**

Midwives working in emergency services intervene especially in victims of trafficking or victims. Forensic midwives working in this location are responsible for the care and treatment of the patient during the period between the hospital and the discharge of the patient, the collection and storage of the forensic evidence, the accurate and complete medical records, the taking of the prosecutor's office and court order for biological and chemical examinations, to be properly removed and stored, and to collect information and evidence in accordance with the relevant regulations [30, 32, 34, 37, 38].

#### **5.7. Sexual assault examination midwifery**

They are specializing in special care and treatment for victims of sexual assault. Among his tasks are; to investigate sexually transmitted diseases and to advise the victim on this issue, to collect, store and transmit the forensic evidence, to help the victim, to evaluate the injuries, to take medical narratives, to make physical examinations, to record criminal information.

The legal process midwife should be a professional who is helping the family in this abusive process, treating medical records and photos in child abuse, monitoring criminals in hospitals, watching victims in courts or nursing homes [31, 32, 34].

#### **5.8. Pediatric forensic midwifery**

suspicious situation. All health professionals should know how to protect evidence and how

As you walk through the evidence, each person should record the date and time they opened the package. In this way, the disappearance of evidence can be prevented. You should be asked to write the name, surname, job and department you are evaluating. The duration of the evidence chain and evidence must be kept as short as possible. Precautions must be taken to ensure that the evidences are not altered and that they are not affected by external condi-

Forensic examinations can be witnessed in courts. If the midwife is called as a witness to a court; should be consistent with the written statements and the resulting physical evidence collected. The use of improper terminology can make it more difficult to enlighten. The terms used in the emblem should be in a way that everyone understands, and the possible causes and mechanisms of injury should be understood and explained appropriately. It should be avoided to give an idea about the issues outside the field of expertise. By following these steps and collecting the appropriate evidence, the victim's fear of the legal system can be avoided

In this context, we can list the specific areas where judges can fulfill their roles and responsi-

Midwives working in emergency services intervene especially in victims of trafficking or victims. Forensic midwives working in this location are responsible for the care and treatment of the patient during the period between the hospital and the discharge of the patient, the collection and storage of the forensic evidence, the accurate and complete medical records, the taking of the prosecutor's office and court order for biological and chemical examinations, to be properly removed and stored, and to collect information and evidence in accordance

They are specializing in special care and treatment for victims of sexual assault. Among his tasks are; to investigate sexually transmitted diseases and to advise the victim on this issue, to collect, store and transmit the forensic evidence, to help the victim, to evaluate the injuries, to take medical narratives, to make physical examinations, to record criminal information.

The legal process midwife should be a professional who is helping the family in this abusive process, treating medical records and photos in child abuse, monitoring criminals in hospi-

tions when the collected evidence is sent into or out of the institution [34–36].

to behave in judicial cases and follow these procedures [34–36].

**5.4. Provision of evidence protection chain**

**5.5. Testimony in court**

120 Selected Topics in Midwifery Care

[37, 38].

bilities as follows;

**5.6. Clinical forensic midwifery**

with the relevant regulations [30, 32, 34, 37, 38].

tals, watching victims in courts or nursing homes [31, 32, 34].

**5.7. Sexual assault examination midwifery**

This field of midwife is responsible for monitoring the possibility of events such as acceptance and evaluation of child abuse and neglect cases, treatment, referral to preventive service units, domestic violence, battered child syndrome and sudden child death, monitoring and rehabilitation of the victim. Midwives are responsible for providing care to children who need help with issues such as abuse, neglect and violations of human rights. While they should provide care for children, it should be carefully assessed to see if there are any signs and symptoms of children experiencing ill-treatment [36, 37].

#### **5.9. Obstetrics and gynecology forensic midwifery**

This field-based midwife is responsible for taking and recording accurate and complete stories about the physical and psychological trauma of women, domestic violence, assessment of substance abuse in pregnancies, general follow-up of pregnant women allegedly traumatized, low, early or stillbirth- and as a witness when necessary [36, 37].

#### **5.10. Midwifery in rape crisis centers**

The nurse working in this area is required to make a visit to sexually assaulted persons, to ensure that evidence is collected and maintained in a proper and appropriate manner, to provide information to the victim and his relatives at every stage of the treatment, to ensure that the victim is safe to leave the center, to serve him in the rehabilitation and presentation of the place to stay at the center until he comes from the center [36, 37].

#### **5.11. Expertise**

Forensic midwives should be able to function in the application of neglect and malpractice and medical records.
