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International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)
The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is a professional organization founded in 1992 to support and promote the practice of forensic nursing globally. It serves as the only international body dedicated to the field, advocating for forensic nurses and publicizing their work across national and international platforms. Initially established by a group of sexual assault nurses, the IAFN has expanded significantly, with over 6,000 members from more than 25 countries by 2024. Its membership includes a diverse range of professionals, such as forensic scientists, emergency medical technicians, and legal professionals, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of forensic nursing. Forensic nursing plays a critical role at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system, addressing issues like child and elder abuse, domestic violence, and emergency trauma. Forensic nurses engage in various activities, including collecting evidence, providing care to victims and perpetrators, conducting examinations, and serving as expert witnesses. The IAFN emphasizes ethical standards and facilitates knowledge exchange through educational opportunities and an annual international conference, while also promoting prevention strategies to combat interpersonal violence worldwide.
Authored By: Stark, Sharon W., RN, APRN, DNSc 1 of 4
Published In: 2020 2 of 4
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Full Article
- DATE: Founded in 1992
- IDENTIFICATION: Professional organization that supports and promotes the science of forensic nursing and advocates for forensic nurses worldwide.
SIGNIFICANCE: The International Association of Forensic Nurses is the only international professional organization for registered nurses that works to develop and support the science of forensic nursing and to publicize the work of forensic nurses nationally and internationally.
The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) was established in 1992 when a group of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) held their first national convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. By 2008, the organization had grown to twenty-six state chapters in the United States and a membership of more than two thousand, including nurses and other professionals in more than sixteen nations around the world. Members include students, forensic scientists, emergency medical technicians, and physicians, as well as nurses. By 2024, the IAFN was considered a global organization, boasting more than six thousand members across all 50 US states and 34 countries (28 chapters).
The IAFN is devoted to promoting the practice of forensic nursing and disseminating information about the field of forensic nursing science. Forensic nursing encompasses activities in many areas in which the nursing profession and the legal system intersect, particularly the areas of child and elder abuse, domestic violence, and emergency trauma. For example, forensic nurses may investigate and collect evidence in incidents involving trauma and questionable deaths; treat perpetrators and victims of violence, abuse, and traumatic accidents; conduct physical and mental health examinations; provide consultation services to health, medical, and legal agencies; and serve as expert witnesses regarding adequacy of health care and services. Forensic nurses practice in diverse roles, including as members of disaster response teams, as SANEs, as legal nurse consultants and attorneys, as medicolegal death investigators, as nurse educators, and as researchers.
The IAFN has established standards of ethical conduct for forensic nurses and works to improve forensic nursing practice, to promote and encourage the exchange of ideas among members and others in the profession, and to develop knowledge in the field of forensic nursing by offering educational opportunities for nurses and professionals in related disciplines. Toward these ends, the association holds an annual international conference at which issues of forensic nursing practice are discussed. IAFN also established an autonomous certifying body called the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification (CFNC) in 2012, which offers two certifications, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner–Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A) and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner–Pediatric/Adolescent (SANE-P), to manage and ensure a high standard of delivery for nurses working in this area of specialization. In addition, IAFN has developed education guidelines for SANEs and intimate partner violence examiners, which are updated regularly. IAFN collaborates with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for forensic nursing certifications as well. The Journal of Forensic Nursing is IAFN’s official journal supporting the organization in disseminating current knowledge in forensic nursing. The organization is also involved in efforts to integrate prevention strategies to stop interpersonal violence around the world.
Bibliography
“About International Association of Forensic Nurses.” International Association of Forensic Nurses, 2023, www.forensicnurses.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IAFN-organizational-backgrounder.-Oct-2023.FINAL_.pdf. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
“Annual Report 2024.” International Association of Forensic Nurses, 2024, www.forensicnurses.org/AnnualReport/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Hammer, Rita M., et al., editors. Forensic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice. Jones & Bartlett, 2006.
“International Association of Forensic Nurses Foundation.” IAFN, www.forensicnurses.org/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
“Journal of Forensic Nursing – Editorial Board Policies.” Journal of Forensic Nursing, Mar. 2022, www.forensicnurses.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/JFN-Policy-and-Procedure-Manual.pdf. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Lynch, Virginia A. Forensic Nursing. C. V. Mosby, 2006.
Nelson, Valerie. “Shattering the Myths About Forensic Nursing.” NurseWeek, 13 July 1998.
Pyrek, Kelly M. Forensic Nursing. CRC Press, 2006.
“SANE Education Guidelines.” IAFN, 2025, learn.forensicnurses.org/Listing/SANE-Education-Guidelines-6682#:~:text=The%20primary%20purpose%20of%20the,DOC%20%2D%20SANE%20Education%20Guidelines%202025. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Stevens, Serita. Forensic Nurse: The New Role of the Nurse in Law Enforcement. Thomas Dunne Books, 2004.
Full Article
- DATE: Founded in 1992
- IDENTIFICATION: Professional organization that supports and promotes the science of forensic nursing and advocates for forensic nurses worldwide.
SIGNIFICANCE: The International Association of Forensic Nurses is the only international professional organization for registered nurses that works to develop and support the science of forensic nursing and to publicize the work of forensic nurses nationally and internationally.
The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) was established in 1992 when a group of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) held their first national convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. By 2008, the organization had grown to twenty-six state chapters in the United States and a membership of more than two thousand, including nurses and other professionals in more than sixteen nations around the world. Members include students, forensic scientists, emergency medical technicians, and physicians, as well as nurses. By 2024, the IAFN was considered a global organization, boasting more than six thousand members across all 50 US states and 34 countries (28 chapters).
The IAFN is devoted to promoting the practice of forensic nursing and disseminating information about the field of forensic nursing science. Forensic nursing encompasses activities in many areas in which the nursing profession and the legal system intersect, particularly the areas of child and elder abuse, domestic violence, and emergency trauma. For example, forensic nurses may investigate and collect evidence in incidents involving trauma and questionable deaths; treat perpetrators and victims of violence, abuse, and traumatic accidents; conduct physical and mental health examinations; provide consultation services to health, medical, and legal agencies; and serve as expert witnesses regarding adequacy of health care and services. Forensic nurses practice in diverse roles, including as members of disaster response teams, as SANEs, as legal nurse consultants and attorneys, as medicolegal death investigators, as nurse educators, and as researchers.
The IAFN has established standards of ethical conduct for forensic nurses and works to improve forensic nursing practice, to promote and encourage the exchange of ideas among members and others in the profession, and to develop knowledge in the field of forensic nursing by offering educational opportunities for nurses and professionals in related disciplines. Toward these ends, the association holds an annual international conference at which issues of forensic nursing practice are discussed. IAFN also established an autonomous certifying body called the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification (CFNC) in 2012, which offers two certifications, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner–Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A) and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner–Pediatric/Adolescent (SANE-P), to manage and ensure a high standard of delivery for nurses working in this area of specialization. In addition, IAFN has developed education guidelines for SANEs and intimate partner violence examiners, which are updated regularly. IAFN collaborates with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for forensic nursing certifications as well. The Journal of Forensic Nursing is IAFN’s official journal supporting the organization in disseminating current knowledge in forensic nursing. The organization is also involved in efforts to integrate prevention strategies to stop interpersonal violence around the world.
Bibliography
“About International Association of Forensic Nurses.” International Association of Forensic Nurses, 2023, www.forensicnurses.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IAFN-organizational-backgrounder.-Oct-2023.FINAL_.pdf. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
“Annual Report 2024.” International Association of Forensic Nurses, 2024, www.forensicnurses.org/AnnualReport/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Hammer, Rita M., et al., editors. Forensic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice. Jones & Bartlett, 2006.
“International Association of Forensic Nurses Foundation.” IAFN, www.forensicnurses.org/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
“Journal of Forensic Nursing – Editorial Board Policies.” Journal of Forensic Nursing, Mar. 2022, www.forensicnurses.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/JFN-Policy-and-Procedure-Manual.pdf. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Lynch, Virginia A. Forensic Nursing. C. V. Mosby, 2006.
Nelson, Valerie. “Shattering the Myths About Forensic Nursing.” NurseWeek, 13 July 1998.
Pyrek, Kelly M. Forensic Nursing. CRC Press, 2006.
“SANE Education Guidelines.” IAFN, 2025, learn.forensicnurses.org/Listing/SANE-Education-Guidelines-6682#:~:text=The%20primary%20purpose%20of%20the,DOC%20%2D%20SANE%20Education%20Guidelines%202025. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Stevens, Serita. Forensic Nurse: The New Role of the Nurse in Law Enforcement. Thomas Dunne Books, 2004.
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