Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) A Practice Exam

Which of the following is a stage in the forensic nurse death investigator (FNDI) process?

1. Assessment of the healthcare facility

2. Investigation of the decedent's family and/or survivors

3. Collaboration with law enforcement

4. Preparation of the deceased for burial

The correct answer is: Investigation of the decedent's family and/or survivors

The stage involving the investigation of the decedent's family and/or survivors is a crucial part of the forensic nurse death investigator (FNDI) process. This step allows the forensic nurse to gather essential information about the deceased's background, medical history, and social circumstances that may be relevant to the investigation. Understanding the dynamics of the family or social relationships can provide insights into the context surrounding the death, including possible motives or explanations for any suspicious findings. This aspect of investigation is integral as it helps to piece together the narrative of the individual's life, which is important when determining the cause and manner of death. Moreover, interviewing family members can uncover critical details that may direct further inquiry or reveal significant evidence related to the investigation. In contrast, assessing the healthcare facility, collaborating with law enforcement, and preparing the deceased for burial, while important elements of forensic investigation or related processes, do not specifically capture the essence of the FNDI role as directly as engaging with the decedent's family. Each of these elements plays a part in a broader investigation, but the focus on family and survivors uniquely emphasizes the human and societal elements of death investigation in forensic nursing.