Forensic Nursing Services

UPMC Western Maryland forensic nurses provide care for patients during unsafe and/or crisis situations. If you are someone you know needs services, please go to the Emergency Department at UPMC Western Maryland or a UPMC Urgent Care location. Both the Emergency Department and Urgent Care locations provide a safe and secluded area for medical and forensic nurse evaluations.

Forensic Nursing Examiners at UPMC Western Maryland provide private and safe support. The forensic nurse examiners have specialized training to provide you with comprehensive care during your visit. In addition to medical care, they can help you connect with community resources that can be of aid to you during your time of need.

Family Crisis Resource Center (Maryland): 301-759-9244 
Family Crisis Center (West Virginia): 800-698-1240 
Dove Center (Garrett County, MD): 301-334-9000

• A medical screening in the Emergency Department
• A private exam room for examinations
• Medical forensic evidence collected by trained Forensic Nurse Examiners
• Support for both you and your family, which is provided by a community-based Sexual Assault Response Team
• Follow up healthcare referrals and consultations
• Expert opinion and testimony

• Thorough examination and documentation of physical evidence completed by forensic nurse examiner
• Crisis intervention
• Assessment of your risk of danger to plan for your safety
• Safety planning
• Advocacy
• Referral to community resources
• Expert opinion and testimony

Here are some questions that can help determine if you are in an abusive relationship:

• Do arguments with your partner often end with someone being physically hurt?
• Have you been injured during these fights?
• Does your partner destroy things you care about, like pets, family photos, and clothes?
• Does your partner ever threaten to hurt you when you disagree?
• Do you have to ask permission for almost everything you do?
• Does your partner often put you down? Are you starting to believe what your partner says about you?
• Have you been made to have sex when or in ways that you didn’t want?
• Are you prevented from seeing your friends or family, getting a job, or continuing your education?
• Do you feel isolated or alone?

If you are battered or in immediate danger, please go somewhere safe or call 9-1-1.

If injured, please go to the nearest emergency department or your family doctor and tell them what happened to you.

We provide services for specially trained health care providers that respond to and care for individuals of human violence. Available services include:

• Consultation with medical practices, including policy review
• In-service training for staff
• Awareness about other community-based resources, including healthcare and prevention services