What is a SANE Medical Forensic Exam?

A SANE Medical Forensic Exam is a comprehensive health exam for survivors of sexual assault.

It is also referred to as a Medical Forensic Exam. Exams are completed by medical providers, typically Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners, who have completed additional education and training to care for both the acute and long-term consequences of sexual violence, abuse, and neglect. consequences of sexual violence, abuse and neglect. A SANE Medical Forensic Exam may include evidence collection, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy prevention, and referrals for follow-up services such as victim advocacy, counseling, and traumatic brain injury evaluation. For minors under the age of 18, before the patient’s SANE Medical Forensic Exam, a Police Officer or Detective will work with them to set up a Forensic Interview. A forensic interview is a supportive, non-leading interview conducted by a trained professional; it is designed to elicit a child’s unique information when there are concerns of abuse or if a child has witnessed violence against another person. A SANE Forensic Nurse can then complete a head-to-toe medical “check-up” to ensure their body is healthy and to ensure health, safety and psychosocial needs are met.

For more information, please contact us at: SANE at 520-562-5151 or email sane@grhc.org

Forensic Nursing Services at Gila River Health Care:

This exam is a head-to-toe checkup with a genital exam to ensure your body is healthy and has healed or is healing from recent or past trauma. It is also an excellent opportunity to assess the need to treat or test for sexually transmitted infections and to connect with critical post-assault resources. Minors under 18 must report to Law Enforcement, but adults have the option to report your assault. Even if not reporting, it is still essential to be seen by a SANE Forensic Nurse.

Sexual Assault:

Strangulation:

Strangulations can be deadly! Sometimes, after strangulation, you may feel fine, but you can still have internal injuries that we can’t see with our eyes. We recommend all strangulation survivors have medical care as soon as possible. Our SANE Forensic Nurses can do a complete strangulation Medical Forensic Exam once emergent needs have been addressed. A strangulation exam is a very detailed head-to-toe exam. It includes documentation of injuries, safety planning, and follow-up. If we see you before you go to the Emergency Department, we can help arrange transportation there to assess any emergent needs. If you choose not to report this event to law enforcement, we can still provide care for you!

Domestic Violence:

Similar to strangulation exams, all injuries, even minor, should be documented with photos and an injury log, even if you are not reporting to Law Enforcement. A SANE Medical Forensic Exam is a comprehensive head-to-toe exam that includes photos of your injury. We typically like to see you back for follow-up pictures for documentation and to connect you with needed post-assault resources.

Child/Elder Abuse and Neglect:

SANE Forensic Nurses can provide very detailed head-to-toe examinations in cases of physical abuse.

Follow up exams:

It is imperative to document the resolution of injury. Our SANE Forensic Nurse may ask to see you back for a follow-up to ensure your body has healed. We may also ask you to follow up for continued testing for sexually transmitted infections. Our follow-up exams are an excellent opportunity to assess your emotional healing. We can assist with needed post-assault resources.

Human trafficking:

Human trafficking exists everywhere. We must be asking the right questions to identify those who may be in need. SANE Forensic Nurses use validated questions to screen for possible trafficked victims. If identified, we can assist in connecting vital resources and reporting to Law Enforcement. We want all of our patients to be safe!

MMIP Taskforce:

We work alongside dedicated members of the GRIC Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force and assist with community education and awareness.